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THE SON OF MAN 




From an oil painting by P. & L. Wei J si 

Jesus as he may have looked when a youth. 



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q4N epic 

BY 
PERCIVAL W. WELLS 

AUTHOR OF 



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LILIES OF THE VALLEY, THE MAJOR OF THE KETTLE-DRUM. 
THE martyr's RETURN, ETC. 

ILLUSTRATIONS BY 
PERCIVAL AND LILLIAN WELLS 







WANTAGH. NEW YORK 

BARTLETT PUBLISHING COMPANY 

1916 



T^^^.t'^e^ 






Copyright, 1916 

BY 

Bartlett Publishing Company 



V> 



MAY -4 1916 



CI.A427939 



®0 ti^t Mtnmvti 

of H^Btta 

tlftB fa00k XB TtBp^ttttxll^ 

Upon the sunny shores of Galilee 

And on the sparkling waters of the lake, 

Thou didst once preach and deep communion take 

With Father and thy Children — by the sea: 

'Ye who are weary, burdened, come to me 

And with me of the Bread of Life partake, 

Which I have broken for your spirits' sake; 

The Lord grant you the gift of charity/ 

O Jesus, son of God and man divine, 

Who fillest human hearts with tender love 

And zeal for living pure, kind and upright. 

Come unto me and swell this breast of mine 

With holy inspiration from above. 

And passion for thy Soul's infinite light. 



PREFACE 

nPHIS book has been written with a twofold pur- 
'■' pose: that of showing what a large part of the 
English Bible (illustrated by the Gospels) is poetry 
as it stands; and of presenting to the public another 
view of the Son of Man — perhaps in some ways sim- 
ilar to those already expressed, and perhaps entirely 
different. One does not tire of reading about Jesus; 
and by studying various books about him and his 
work one is able to clarify and increase one's own 
knowledge of him. 

Let no man, even the most devout and conserva- 
tive Christian, take offense at the certain privileges 
which have been used herein, for everything has been 
done with an attitude of sincere reverence — with the 
utmost admiration and love for Jesus of Nazareth, 
his memory, and his living power, which exercises 
such a tremendous part in the thought and the activ- 
ity of the world today. 

The Gospels have been drawn from so extensively 
that it seems hardly worth while to use quotation 
marks or to make acknowledgment in each instance 
where the Biblical material has been borrowed : either 
the Bible is familiar to the reader, or else it is within 
reach. 

vu 



INTRODUCTION 

¥ N previous days the syllable was used as the unit 

'■' of verse more than was the accent. For example, 

Chaucer's Prologue, Canterbury Tales : 

"Wei nyne and twenty in a companye. 
Of sundry folk, by aventure y-falle — ," 

which smacks of French versification with all the 
monotony of its accentless flow of twelve and thir- 
teen syllables. Nowadays such continuous artificial- 
ity is well-nigh unendurable. Much more beautiful 
sounds Shakespeare's 

"This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath. 
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet," 

(Romeo and Juliet) 

which has five accents rather than just so many 
syllables. One reason why the Greek and Latin 
epics — Homer and Vii*gil — are so grand is be- 
cause in their verse there was no monotony: dactyls, 
which are the basis of the meter, are varied with 
spondees (and trochees, seldom). Thus: 

"Menin aeide, thea, Peleiadeo Axileos 
oulomenen, e muri' Axaiois alge' etheken" 

(Iliad) ; 
and 

"Arma virumque cano, Troiae qui primus ab oris 
Italiam fato profugus Laviniaque venit" 

(Aeneid), 

viii 



Rhythm will stand two unaccented syllables with 
every accented one, as can plainly be seen in the 
above quotations; three unaccented syllables together 
destroys the flow of rhythm, so two may be taken both 
as allowable and as the limit. Therefore we have 
kept in tiiind accent rather than syllable as the unit, 
and have permitted ourselves to use either the iambic, 
which is the standard (the line is supposedly un- 
rhymed iambic pentameter), or the anapaest, which 
is a substitution, at will; and other substitutions, as 
the trochee and dactyl, when their effect is deemed 
more desirable. We confess that our verse may be 
a bit rough in places, but better so than sickeningly 
smooth. Monotony is the curse of verse ! We could, 
if we wished, have made our lines as smooth as those 
polished writers whose attempts at poetry (too often 
they partly succeeded) trouble him who reads as well 
as censure him who wrote. 

One thing must be noticed particularly: since no 
thought ends naturally at the close of each line, we 
have very often run a line over into the next infor- 
mally, in order to make the reading pleasant, thus : 
' "Who is my mother ? behold, who are my brethren V 
Stretching forth his hand toward his disciples — '. 



IX 



If the second line were written immediately after the 
first (as of course it is read), the last syllable of 
'brethren/ which is unaccented, forms the first part 
of the iambic foot whose second part, the accented 
syllable, is 'stretch — ,' and so it goes. This is en- 
tirely allowable by the rules of versification (which 
fortunately were never set forth by poets, who have 
seldom any other guide than their ear and intuition, 
and which must be disregarded whenever the effect 
makes it so desirable), since an unaccented syllable 
may be dropped anywhere in the verse without 
changing it from pentameter, or can be added wher- 
ever there are not two together already. Of course 
once in a great while three unaccented syllables might 
exist, but that is forcing the rhythm beyond its bounds. 
The standards of all poetry, as well as music, go back 
finally to and exist primarily in the physiological 
structure of the ear. 

Therefore pardon the roughness of our verse if 
you notice it; and if you do not notice it, enjoy it. 
An epic is like rhythmical prose, not carefully studied 
or spontaneous bursts of perfect lyricism, since it 
deals mainly with objective narration. After all it 
is the result that counts. 



When 'The Son of Man" was a little over half 
done, I took it to Prof. Hugh Black, author of 
''Friendship" and other remarkable books, and asked 
him whether he would kindly read it and give me 
his frank opinion about it, especially about the tak- 
ing over of so much material from the Evangelists 
instead of inventing fiction of my own about the 
Son of Man and his heroic career. He reported that 
he did not mind the roughness of the meter, found 
no fault with the borrowing from the Bible, and liked 
it in every way except my having Jesus fall in love 
with Mary Magdalene. That, he said, did not seem 
to be consistent with the character of Jesus as he 
imagined it. 

Now I differ strongly with Hugh Black on this 
point. Jesus was a genius of the first water — 
strong, vigorous, virile, passionate, quick, temper- 
some, excitable, ambitious, idealistic and affectionate. 
What was more natural than that he should fall in 
love, while still a youth with hot blood flowing tem- 
pestuously through Semitic veins and arteries, with 
a beautiful woman, perhaps older than himself, whose 
tendency toward dissoluteness had not yet appeared? 
He was an artist and a poet; and such a man is 



never drawn toward unsexed females thin of body 
and spirit, but prefers full curves and physical beauty, 
especially in the early days when manhood comes 
with a rush like a tempest. 

It might well be that Mary had no thought of being 
loose in those days when Jesus first loved her, but was 
driven to many loves by the loss of that one great 
love which towered above all loves, endeavoring to 
fill the vacant place in her heart, yet always in vain. 
It might be — ^but we had best cast no reflections on 
the character of a great prophet; only let us remem- 
ber what Mohamet, a great prophet and moral re- 
former, did when the woman he loved so much died, 
that seldom can a man practice what he preaches, 
and that intercourse with a person one devoutly loves 
is by far not the worst fault in the world — it may be 
even a virtue, judged by God's highest standards! 
We laugh at society's hypocritical boundaries, al- 
though we find it best in the long run to follow some 
of them. 

However, it is natural for a Presbyterian to be 
more circumspect in his opinions about great men 
than must those of less primitive and more advanced, 

jdi 



less artificial and more natural, less imaginative and 
more useful religious ideas. 

We are surely grateful to Prof. Black for his 
criticism, and hope that he will some day become 
reconciled to the viewpoint presented in "The Son 
of Man." 



xm 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



Jesus as he may have looked when a youth 

The Magi 

Jesus with his nurse (his mother) 

The young reformer in his father's arms . 

Nazareth Spring 

The Sea of Galilee . . 
Jesus and Mary Magdalene 

Jerusalem 

Mary Magdalene entertaining Jesus 

The great Jew, with companions, in a storm 

The trinity in Cedars of Lebanon 

The Prodigal Son 

Bethlehem Market-place .... 

Jordan River 

A study of the Son of Man 

On the cross, with the Magdalene near 



Frontispiece ^ 

Page 

12 ^' 

17 
19 ' 

25 

32 : 

41/ 

52 
58 

85 . 

94 ' 
114 
120 
136 
148. 



THE SON OF MAN 

BOOK I 

SPIRITS of the limitless Universe, 
And Thou, Author of All, Creator, God, 
Under the hollow of whose hand the World 
Must ever be by law firmly controlled, — 
Inspire us as we sing the story of Jesus, 
The Hebrew Prophet who lived and died that men 
Might find eternal life — thro' noble love. 
Favor the boldness of our plan; affording 
Strength and courage that we may fulfill 
The epic song in measures suitable 
To the theme divine — Jesus the Son of Man, 
And reverently play upon the stops 
Of the sacred instrument while thus we sing. 

Then through the mouths of the prophets Jahweh 
had spoken. 
In times of old; and they, with inspiration 
Glorifying, marvelously prophesied 
Concerning the coming Messiah, the Holy Man, 

1 



And mightily, for the sins of the people were many, 
And Jahweh God of Hosts was very angry 
Against them for their sins. But merciful 
Jehovah was — yea, more than their deserts, 
And by the seers proclaimed the coming of One 
Who would reveal to them the way of Truth. 
Thus spake they, filled with the spirit of God the 
Lord : — 
"Behold, in Zion a corner stone is laid, 
A precious comer stone, a sure foundation; 
The evils of Israel shall be oflf-scourged. 
Their hypocrisies shall come to naught, their lies 
Be wiped away with blood, and falsehoods ended; 
Their whoredoms shall be cut out with the sword. 
And death will take the place of fornications ; 
Idolatry shall cease in the high places, 
The abominations of Israel be put down; 
No longer shall the wealthy sell the poor 
For a pair of shoes ; oppression and violence 
Shall be forced down the bellies of the wicked. 
The smoky sacrifices shall avail 
No more, for they are but a covering 
Of pestilential sins and vilenesses. 
Israel's leprosy has lived too long. 



And her flesh is too corrupt — the vultures shall 

have it. 
But hope there is for earnest and humble men 
Who wish for life, and verily they shall find it. 
Give heed to the voice of the Lord: as clay in the 

hand 
Of the potter, so are the puny children of men ; 
Like grass in the forest-fire are they consumed 
Within their time — three score of years and ten. 
For them the stars of heaven shall cease to shine. 
The sun be dark, and the full-moon have no light. 
Who can stand against the laws of God? 
Seek the way of the Lord while he may be found, 
For out of the fruitful rod of Jesse's tree 
Shall grow a flower, and out of its roots a branch. 
And he shall be called Wonderful, The Prince 
Of Peace, the mighty Counsellor; and the people 
Who dwelt in darkness shall see a shining light, 
And their joy shall be increased. For the spirit of 

God 
Shall rest upon him — the spirit of understanding, 
Of wisdom and might, of fear and worship and love 
Of God the Absolute, creator of heaven 



And earth. He shall judge the poor with righteous- 
ness, 
And govern the rich with strength; he shall teach 

the nations 
To beat their swords into plows, and to pruning- 

hooks 
Their bloody spears, for men shall live in peace. 
And wars shall cease. The wolf shall dwell with the 

lamb, 
The leopard lie down with the sheep, and the young 

lion 
That roared for prey with the fatling and the calf. 
And the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the 

Lord. 
Tho' the Prince the Messiah be scorned and rejected 

of men, 
A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, despised, 
Afflicted to carry our sorrows and bear our grief. 
Wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our 

sins, — 
He shall bind the broken-hearted, free the captive. 
And open the prisons to them that are scourged and 

bound ; 
Comfort them that mourn, give beauty for ashes — 



Even as Spring gives beauty to the Year, 

And gather the nations to see the glory of God. 

The bHnd shall see and they that were lame shall 

walk." 
Thus spoke the prophets, in whom the spirit had 

come. 
And behold, there was a man, whose name was 

John, 
Who came to bear a witness to the Light, 
The Light of Jesus Christ, that men might love 
And have an understanding in their heart. 

Now in the time of Herod, King of Judaea, 
There lived a certain priest called Zacharias, 
Abijah's course, whose wife Elisabeth 
Was a daughter of Aaron; and tho' they both were 

blameless. 
Righteously walking in all the commandments of God, 
They had no child, for Elisabeth was barren 
And well advanced in years ; but it came to pass, 
That an angel of God appeared to Zacharias 
As he was burning incense in the temple, 
And he had fear, for the light about the angel 
Was very bright; and the spirit seemed to say, 
"Fear not, O Zacharias — thy prayer is heard, 



For Elisabeth thy wife shall bear a son 

And name him John. He shall be great before 

The eyes of God, and men shall rejoice at his birth. 

The spirit and pow'r of Elias shall be with him 

And give him strength to turn the foolish folk 

Unto the wisdom of the just, and prepare 

The people for the coming of the Messiah. 

I am the angel Gabriel, who come 

From God. Until that time shalt thou be dumb." 

Thus spoke the messenger, and disappeared. 

Behold! EHsabeth conceived, and hid 
Herself, pleased that she should be with child. 

Now the angel Gabriel, when Elisabeth 
Had carried her child six months, came down from 

heaven 
Unto the house of the virgin Mary, who dwelt 
In Nazareth of Galilee, espous'd 
To a man named Joseph, descended from David's 

line ; 
And when the angel came to her, he said : — 

"Blessed art thou, O Mary, among women; 
For thou hast a mighty work to do on earth. 
Behold, thou shalt conceive and be with child. 
And bear a son, whose name shall be called JESUS. 



He shall be great — a son of the highest God, 
And Son of Man; of his Kingdom there is no end. 
Thy cousin Elisabeth hath too conceived, 
And soon will bear a son. Before Jahweh, 
What is impossible?" And he departed. 

It came to pass as Gabriel had said. 
That Elisabeth was delivered, and bore a son; 
And there was great rejoicing; and on the eighth 
Day they did come to circumcise the child; 
And because the mother and father so proclaimed, 
They named him John. Then Zacharias opened 
His mouth, and prophesying praised the Lord, 
'Whereby the dayspring from on high hath come 
To give to them that sit in darkness light 
And deliver them from the fear of the shadow of 

death, 
And guide their feet unto the way of peace.' 

So John grew up, waxing strong in spirit. 
And strong in body. But he went to the desert. 
Leaving the cities and towns, to be at peace 
With Nature, Man and God, for in the cities 
Evil was everywhere, and he had met 
A sect of men who called themselves Essenes, 
Who dwelt apart, communicating not 



Especially with women, nor sacrificing 

With animals, since their best sacrifice 

Was reverence. They made no weapons of war, 

Nor laid by gold, nor traded like the hucksters. 

They had no slaves, for slavery to them 

Was violating the holy laws of Nature, 

Which makes men free. The foolishness of empty 

Philosophy and logic they did with care 

Avoid, as being bad; but natural 

Philosophy and ethical conduct they studied; 

Read the scriptures ; practised piety, 

And followed virtue, cleanliness and wisdom. 

They had no oaths, trusted in Providence, 

And treated fellow men with kindliness. 

These men John met, therefore, and on his life 
They had an influence; so he did spurn 
The priestly office, which by inheritance 
Was his, for the mightiness of prophecy 
Had come upon him, with powers of the spirit. 
He lived in the wilderness, robed in a cloak 
Made out of camel's hair, loose fitting, rough, 
With a girdle of leather wound about his loins ; 
His food was wretched locusts and wild honey. 

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, 

8 



The Caesar, Pilate being governor, 

And Annas and Caiaphas the highest priests, 

Behold there came the angel Gabriel 

To John in the wilderness, and John did marvel, 

And was afraid, so glorious seemed the spirit. 

He said no word, but beckoned with his hand 

Toward the Jordan country, and blessed him there. 

So John went to the River Jordan, and preached. 

Saying, "Turn ye, O people, turn ye now, 

The Kingdom is at hand; prepare the way 

Of the Lord, make straight his paths, for every vale 

Shall be filled up, and the mountains be brought low ; 

The crooked shall be straight, and the rough ways 

smooth." 
And many people did he there baptize. 
Many sought him from Jerusalem, 
And all Judaea, and the region near the river, 
And were baptized by John, confessing their sins. 

But when he saw some of the Pharisees 
And Sadducees among the other folk. 
He was anangered, and cried, ''Who hath warned you 
To flee the wrath to come? The ax is laid 
Unto the root of the tree; and every stock 
That beareth not good fruit shall be hewn down!'* 



The people said, "What shall we do?" He cried, 
"Let him that hath two coats give one away." 

Then too came publicans to be baptized 
(Who were the tax-collectors for the king) 
And asked of John, "Master, what shall we do?" 
He answered, "Take no more than what is due." 

The soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, 
"What shall we do?" He said, "Do violence 
Unto no man; and be content with your wages." 

The people wondered, and mused within their 
hearts 
Of John, whether he were the Christ or not. 
He answered, saying, "I baptize with water; 
But another mightier than I will come, 
Whose shoes I am unworthy to unloose: 
He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, 
And he will gather the wheat into his garner." 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: 
The angel Gabriel appeared to Joseph, 
And said, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not. 
For Mary thy wife shall bear a son, whose name 
Shall be called JESUS, and too IMMANUEL, 
For he shall strip the people of their sins." 

But it came to pass, those days, that a decree 

10 



Went forth from Caesar Augustus, that all the world 
Be taxed. So every one went to his own 
City; and Joseph went from Nazareth 
Into Judaea, unto the city of David 
Called Bethlehem (because he was of the house 
And lineage of David), to pay his tax 
With Mary, who was with child. Behold, while they 
Were there, the days of Mary's delivery 
Did come, and she brought forth her first-born son. 
She wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid 
him down 
In a manger, because there was no room for them 
In the inn. And all the angels were glad and re- 
joiced 
That Jesus was born, and ministered unto him. 

And there were shepherds, abiding in the field. 
In that same country, keeping watch by night 
Over their flocks; and behold! the archangel 
Gabriel descended unto them, 
Shining bright with the glory of the Lord, 
And they were sore afraid, but Gabriel said: — 
"Fear not, O shepherds, for behold I bring 
Good tidings of great joy to all people. 
This day in the city of David is born to you 

11 



A saviour, which is Jesus Christ. This sign 

Shall be — ^the babe is lying in a manger, 

Wrapped in its swaddHng-clothes. Seek ye the babe. 

Not for the sake of the proud and haughty rulers 

Of Israel has Jesus come to live, 

For they are cursed in their self-righteousness, 

But for the sake of men like you, and all 

Who humbly seek for higher, nobler things." 

And suddenly there appeared a multitude 
Of spirits and angels praising God, singing, 
"Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, 
Good-will toward men: — the Son of Man is born!" 

The host of spirits disappeared, and then 
The shepherds, astonished by the happening, 
Said unto one another, "Let us go 
At once to Bethlehem and see this thing 
Which, come to pass, has been made known to us." 

So they set out with haste, and found Mary 
And Joseph, and, lying in the manger, the babe. 
And when they saw, they spread abroad the news 
Which had been told to them concerning the child ; 
And those that heard it wondered in their hearts. 

Mary pondered, knowing that her son 
Should become great, and bring joy to the world. 

12 










< 
H 



And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising 
God for all the things revealed to them. 

When the child was eight days old he was named 
Jesus, 
And when the days of Mary's purification 
Had been accomplished, they brought to Jerusalem 
Jesus, and him presented unto the Lord, 
Offering up a pair of turtle-doves. 
It happened that Simeon, a man of Jerusalem, 
And just, was waiting for the consolation 
Of Israel; and he, thus spirit-guided. 
Came to the temple, and took the child in his arms, 
Saying, "O God, let me depart in peace. 
For I have seen the glory of all people — 
A light to lighten the Gentiles and Israel!" 

And Joseph and Mary marveled at these things. 

Now at the time when Jesus was born — the days 
Of Herod the king — in Bethlehem, that night 
A wonderful star appeared to three Wise Men 
In the East — Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar, — 
The first, a Magus of India; the second. 
Of Egypt; and Balthasar, the third, of Persia. 
They found by astrological calculations 
That in Judaea a Prince of men was born; 

13 



And, getting ready, they hastened on a journey 
To find the new-born child and worship him. 
Carrying with them gifts of gold, and myrrh. 
And frankincense. And lo ! when evening came, 
Each night as they were journeying, a spirit 
Appeared within the heavens like a star — 
The angel Michael. — Unto the Mount 
Of Sinai led he them together there ; 
And when the Magi beheld the one the others, 
Greatly they did rejoice and make them glad. 
For verily they knew it was the truth. 

In company they then continued on. 
Upon the way, led now by one bright star ; 
But when they came to the country of Judaea, 
It disappeared; and knowing not what town 
Or city was the place where the great child was, 
They traveled unto Jerusalem, and there 
Demanded, "Where is the child that has been born,- 
That is to be a mighty Counsellor, 
The Prince of Peace, and ruler of the Jews? 
For in the east we have beheld his star. 
And we have journeyed hither to worship him." 

But when the king heard this, he was disturbed, 
And all Jerusalem with him. So Herod 

14 



Did summon together all the chiefest priests 
And too the scribes of the people, to ask of them 
Where this great child was born and where he dwelt, 
(Since now it was two years after his birth 
In Bethlehem). They answered Herod thus: — 
" 'Tis written by the prophet. Thou Bethlehem, 
In the land of Judah, art not the least among 
The princes, for out of thee shall come a Prince 
Who shall be Governor of Israel'." 

Then Herod, when he had summoned privily 
The three Magi, inquired diligently 
Of them what time the bright star had appeared. 
They answered him, ''About two years ago." 
So he commanded them to Bethlehem, 
Saying, "Go search for the young child diligently. 
And when ye have found him, bring me word again, 
That I may come and also worship him." 

Not knowing what intentions Herod had. 
The Wise Men did depart; and, lo, the star 
Which they had seen appeared to them again, 
And went before them till it came and stood 
Above the house where the young child Jesus was, — 
For Joseph and Mary had stayed in Bethlehem. 

So they rejoiced with exceeding joy, and came 

15 



Into the house, and saw the child with Mary 
His mother; and falling down they worshiped Jesus, 
And opened for him their costly treasures of gold 
And frankincense and myrrh ; and they blessed Jesus, 
Because he was to be the Son of Man. 

They did depart into their own country 
Therefore another way, because the angel 
Michael appeared to them and said 
(He came by a dream at night) that they must not 
Return to Herod, who had an evil mind. 

Likewise the angel spoke to Joseph and Mary 
By dream, saying to them, "Arise and take 
With you the child, and flee away to Egypt, 
And stay ye there until I bring you word: 
For Herod seeks the boy that he may kill him." 

So they arose, and took the child by night, 
And secretly departed unto Egypt, 
Remaining there until the death of Herod. 

Herod was very wroth when he saw the Magi 
Mocked his authority, and sent forth men 
To slay the children that lived in Bethlehem, 
And all the region round about, from two 
Years old and younger, according to the time 
The Wise Men had determined. Then indeed 

16 




From an oil painting by P. & L. Wellsl 

Jesus with his nurse (his mother). 



Arose a dreadful weeping and lamentation — 

The mourning of sorrowful mothers who were bereft 

Of the babes they loved, and would not be comforted, 

Wailing in bitter anguish. Then was fulfilled 

The mournful prophecy of Jeremiah: 

*In Rama Rachel wept for her children/ — ah! 

And there were many broken hearts in Judah. 

But when Herod was dead, behold an angel 
Appeared to Joseph, in a dream, in Egypt, 
Seeming to say, "Arise, take thou thy child 
And Mary his mother, and go to Israel : 
For they which sought the young child's life are 
dead." 

So he arose, and took the child and Mary, 
And came again to the land of Israel. 
But much he feared, because that Archelaus 
The son of Herod was ruling in his stead. 
To return to Judaea; therefore, warned by angels 
By night in a dream, he turned toward Galilee; 
And there in Nazareth, his native town, 
He stopped to dwell. Thus were the prophecies 
Fulfilled, — "He shall be called a Nazarene." 

Jesus grew tall, and waxed strong in spirit, 
Filled with wisdom : the grace of God was upon him. 

17 



Now it happened that Joseph and Mary went each 
year 
To the feast of the Passover at Jerusalem; 
And when Jesus was twelve years old, they went 
According to the manner of the feast 
Up to Jerusalem to celebrate; 
But lo! when they had been there all the days 
And started to return, the boy Jesus 
Tarried behind in the city, and Joseph and Mary 
Knew not of it, since they supposed that he 
Was with them in the company, and missed 
Him not till they had journeyed for a day. 
So, when they found him not among their friends 
And kin, unto Jerusalem they turned 
Again, seeking Jesus. It came to pass 
That three days afterward they found the boy 
Within the temple, sitting among the doctors, 
Hearing them and asking of them questions ; 
And all that listened to him were astonished 
Both at his understanding and replies. 

When they beheld him, they were much amazed. 
His mother said unto him, "Alas, my son, 
Why hast thou treated us this way? Behold, 
Thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing'' — 

18 




From an oil painting by P. & L. WelJsH 

The young reformer in his father's arms. 



For verily they loved Jesus their son. 

But he replied, "How is it that ye sought me? 
Wist ye not that I must be about 
My Father's business?" But they comprehended 
Not the saying which he spake to them. 

So, coming down with them, he did return 
To Nazareth, and was obedient; 
And all his sayings Mary kept in her heart. 

Thus Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature, 
In favor with God and man. 

As was the custom with the Jews, Jesus 
Was taught his trade, becoming a carpenter 
And joiner, making plows and yokes and many 
Other things of wood beside the bench. 
He developed wonderfully his physical power, 
And gladly did his work. So long as Joseph 
His father lived, he had much time besides 
For study; so he learned the holy writings — 
The ancient histories, and laws, and prophets. 
But when his father died (he became sad. 
Mourning his death) he often had to work 
Into the evening, and had less time for thought, 
Except for meditation at his bench. 
So he became unhappy, until his brother 

19 



Grew old enough to help; and often then 
He went about the country seeking wood, 
And visiting the husbandmen who needed 
Yokes and plows and beams. He loved the fields, 
In which the grass and flowers grew, the farms, 
Where busy planters worked, the lake and sea 
In which the fishers cast their nets, and hills 
Which brought him nearer to the sky — whereon 
He sat sometimes thinking of God the Father. 

One day behold! it happened, when the young 
Carpenter went into the wilderness 
On a journey, he met a savage mountain lion 
Which leaped at him ferociously, for it 
Had had nothing to eat. He cried for help. 
And tried to defend himself with a stout stick 
That he was carrying— for he was very 
Strong. The Lord did not allow his servant 
Thus to be killed before his time so young, 
For as it came to pass, his cousin John 
Was near at hand, gathering locusts and honey 
For food (already had he left the haunts 
Of men) and came running unto his help. 
And both together they killed the hungry lion. 

Then John, who wore a ragged cloak and girdle, 

20 



Demanded, "Art thou not Jesus, son of Joseph, 
The carpenter of Nazareth who died?" 

Jesus replied, " Tis I — and who art thou, 
O holy man, for verily I see 
Thou dost belong to God? Blessed be thou. 
For thou hast saved me from this roaring Hon." 

*T am thy cousin, son of Elisabeth 
And Zacharias the priest of Abijah's course. 
Who have for dwelling-place the wilderness. 
Because of all the evils in the towns. 
Behold, just now I found a honey-tree, 
Wherefrom I will get honey for my food." 

Thus answered John, and straightway they em- 
braced. 
Kissing each other's cheek for very joy. 

Then they sat down beneath the trees and ate 
Together of honey, which John got in the comb 
From the hollow tree, and bread, and locusts, dried, 
Which John took with him in a pouch, and wine. 
That Jesus bore in a flask. When they were done, 
John turned and said, — 

"Dost thou not plan to come 
Into the wilderness, to dwell apart 
From men, who are but masses of corruption? 

21 



For has it not been written, *Enter the rock, 
And hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, 
And for the glory of his majesty? 
The day of the Lord of Hosts shall be upon 
Every one that is proud and lofty, and too 
Of high degree, for he shall be brought low. 
The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, 
And the haughtiness of men shall be made low; 
The Lord alone that day shall be exalted. 
And they shall go away to holes in the rocks. 
And into the caves of the earth for fear of the Lord, 
And for the glory of his majesty. 
When he ariseth terribly to shake 
The earth; and man shall cast his silver idols 
And those of gold, which he has made to worship, 
Unto the moles and bats, and seek the clefts 
And tops of ragged rocks, for fear of God. 
Jerusalem is ruined and Judah is fallen. 
Because their tongues and doings are contrary 
To the laws of God. They cannot hide their sins, 
Which are the sins of Sodom. Woe to their souls, 
For they have given evil to themselves !' " 
But Jesus answered, saying, — 

"Verily, 

22 



It is a beautiful thing to live with men. 
Tis written, 'Behold, one like the Son of Man 
Came with the clouds of heaven unto the Ancient 
Of days; and there was given to him glory. 
Dominion and kingdom, that people, languages 
And Nations should be his servants ; and his do- 
minion 
Never shall pass away or be destroyed.' " 
John answered vehemently, — 

"The strong shall be 
As tow, his work like to a spark, and both 
Shall burn together, and none shall quench them out. 
Thus saith the Lord, T will send down a fire 
On Judah, which shall devour the palaces 
Of Jerusalem; the flight shall leave the swift. 
The strong shall have no force, nor shall the mighty 
Deliver himself. For they know not to do right. 
Said God, the Lord, who store up violence 
And robbery within their palaces. 
Woe unto the wicked ! for they shall eat 
The fruit of their own doings. Because the daughters 
Of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched-forth 

necks 
And wanton eyes, mincing as they go, 

23 



Therefore the Lord will smite with scabs the crowns 
Of the heads of the daughters of Zion; their secret 

parts 
Will he uncover. And he will take away 
The bravery of all their ornaments, — 
Their chains, and bracelets, mufflers, bonnets, rings, 
Headbands, changeable suits of apparel, mantles. 
Wimples and crisping-pins, their glasses, veils. 
Fine linen and hoods. And it shall come to pass. 
Instead of sweet perfume there shall be a stink ; 
Instead of a girdle a rent ; instead of hair 
Well set, baldness ; instead of a stomacher 
A girding of sack-cloth; and burning instead of 

beauty. 
The Lord will judge the ancients of his people, 
And princes thereof : for they have robbed the vine- 
yards. 
And in their houses is the spoil of the poor !' " 
Jesus rebuked him, saying, 

"Is it not writ, 
*Let the wicked forsake his way, the unrighteous man 
His thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, 
For he will abundantly pardon, and have mercy. 
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come to the waters ; 

24 




o 

CO 




< 









Yea, he that hath no money, buy and eat; 
Buy wine and milk having nor money nor price. 
Why spend ye money for that which is not bread? 
Your labor for that which satisfieth not? 
Hearken to me, and eat ye that which is good, 
And let your soul delight itself in fatness. 
And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, 
And great shall be the peace of them thy children/ " 
Thus they conversed ; and when at last they parted 
One from the other John said, "Some future time, 
Canst thou not come hither again, sweet cousin? 
For I have love for thee. The spirit of God 
Thou seemest verily to have. And I, 
Perchance, will seek thee too by Nazareth, 
Outside the town, or near the River Jordan?" 
Jesus assented gladly, since he desired 
To know more of his cousin John, this man 
Who scorned the evils of the town, and knew 
The scriptures, and traditions, and other writings, 
And feared not beast, nor man, nor even Satan ; 
And who, although avoiding evil cities, 
Still loved and wished to help his fellow men. 
He seemed to be a prophet come again 
To preach repentance and the love of God. 

25 



So often they met, and became most steadfast 
friends, 
Like Jonathan and David in times of old. 
And the spiritual power of each increased, — 
Just as the coral within the deep blue sea, 
Little at first, but branching out and out 
By new additions, until at last is formed 
A mighty rock — a rising reef — an island 
On which weary travelers come to rest, 
And find not only shelter but fruits and flowers. 



26 



Book II 

BEHOLD one day the angel Gabriel 
Came unto Jesus of Nazareth (while he 
Was working at his bench, making some chairs — 
But at that hour he had his mind on God), 
And laying on his head his hand he said: — 

"Now is the time fulfilled when thou no more 
Shalt fashion chairs and other things of wood, 
But thou art called of God to be His son, 
That thou mayst preach the Word unto the people 
And thus reclaim them from their evil ways, 
Which are not pleasing to the Lord of Hosts. 
Thou hast been faithful to thy family. 
But now thou art the Son of Man; and God 
Is Father, and all the people are thy brothers. 
The wood that thou shalt cleave henceforth must be 
The Tree of Life, whose roots are in the earth, 
Whose branches grow within the air of heaven, 
And whose fair fruit is seed of God's great Kingdom, 
Which is not far away. Give heed, give heed! 

Beware the tempting of the Evil One, 

27 



Who would pluck thee, as bunches from the vine 
Are plucked, not by the rightful husbandman, 
But by the thieves who enter in and steal. 
Beware of Satan, for he would corrupt 
Thy soul with evil thoughts and evil spirits. 
Not otherwise than as the worm corrupts 
The maturing apple, making it vile within. 
Though fair without and attractive to the eye. 

Go, get thee hence, and seek thy cousin John, 
Him who baptizes sinners by the Jordan 
(For at this time John had commenced his work 
Of calling men toward God, baptizing them), 
Since thus it is ordained. Blessed be thou 
Henceforth for evermore, thou son of man!" 
Thus Gabriel seemed to speak, and disappeared. 

So Jesus ceased to be a carpenter; 
He left his family — his mother and brethren. 
And went from Nazareth of Galilee 
To Jordan unto John, to be baptized 
Of him. But John forbade him, saying, — "In truth 
'Tis I have need to be baptized of thee. 
And comest thou to me ?" Then Jesus said 
In answer, — ''Suffer it to be so now. 
For thus it becometh us for to fulfill 

28 



All righteousness." And so he suffered him. 

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up 
Straightway out of the water ; and lo ! the heavens 
Opened for him, and Gabriel descended, 
Blessing him; and Jesus heard a voice 
From heaven, saying, "This is my beloved 
Son, in whom I am well pleased." 

After these things came Jesus and his disciples 
(For unto him there gathered many men, 
As likewise many followed John the Baptist 
To hear his preaching, which was of a prophet) 
Into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried 
With them and baptized many. And John also 
Baptized in Aenon near to Salim, because 
There was much water there; they came and were 
Baptized : for John was not yet cast in prison. 

Then there arose a question between a few 
Of John's disciples and the Jews concerning 
Purifying. And so they came to John, 
And said to him, — 

"Rabbi, he that was 
With thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou bearest 
Witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all 
Men come to him." 



29 



John answered, saying to them, — 
"A man receiveth nothing except it be 
From heaven given him. Ye bear me witness 
Yourselves I said that I am not the Christ, 
But sent before him. He that hath the bride — 
He is the bridegroom; but his friends who stand 
And hear his voice greatly rejoice thereof : 
So this my joy therefore has been fulfilled. 

He must increase, but I, decrease. And he 
That believeth the Son hath everlasting life.'' 

But when the Pharisees had heard that Jesus 
Made and baptized more followers than John, 
He left Judaea and went to Galilee 
Again, and had to pass thro' Samaria. 
Then cometh he to Sychar, near the ground 
That Jacob had given unto Joseph his son. 

Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, 
Wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well. 
And there came a woman of Samaria 
To draw up water. Jesus saith to her, 
"Give me to drink" (for his disciples were gone 
To the city to buy some meat). Then saith the 

woman, — 
"How is it that thou, who art a Jew, dost ask 

30 



A drink of me, who am a Samaritan? 

For the Jews deal not with us Samaritans." 

Jesus repHed, *'If thou didst know the gift 
Of God, and who it is that saith to thee, 
'Give me to drink', thou wouldst have asked of him, 
And he would have given thee the living water." 

The woman saith to him, *'But, sir, thou hast 
Nothing with which to draw, and the well is deep. 
From whence hast thou that living water, then? 
For art thou greater than our father Jacob, 
Who gave to us the well, and drank thereof 
Himself, and his children and cattle?" 

Jesus said, — 
"Whosoever drinketh of this water 
Shall thirst again; but whosoever drinketh 
The water that I give him shall never thirst; 
For the water that I shall give shall be in him 
A well springing to everlasting life." 

The woman saith, ''Give me this water, sir. 
That I thirst not, neither come hither to draw." 

Jesus replied, "Summon thy husband and come 
Hither." The woman answered and said, 'T have 
No husband." Jesus replied, "Thou hast well said, 
T have no husband' — thou hast had five husbands; 

31 



And he whom thou hast now is not thy husband. 

In that saidst thou most truly." Then said the woman 

To Jesus, *'Sir, I perceive thou art a prophet!" 

And she left then her waterpot, and went 

Her way into the city and told the men 

About the wonderful prophet she had met. 

When Jesus's followers returned, he said, — 
"Lo, I have meat to eat ye know not of. 
Do ye not say, Tour months, and then the harvest ?' 
Behold, I say to you. Lift up your eyes, 
Look on the fields, for they are white already 
To harvest. He that reapeth receiveth wages, 
Gathering fruit unto a life eternal: 
That those who sow and reap may rejoice together !" 

So when the Samaritans were come to him, 
They begged him to tarry with them ; and he abode 
Two days, and then went into Galilee. 
There he did preach, saying, "The time is come, 
And the Kingdom is at hand. Turn ye, turn ye, 
And believe ye the good news." 

His fame went out 
Through all the region round about (Jesus 
Himself did testify that a prophet hath 
No honor within his own country). From thence 

32 



'riL 



^^, 
#,^'' 




#*% " ■ 












< 

'A 







He came to Cana of Galilee, to a feast, 

A marriage. The mother of Jesus was there also ; 

And when they needed wine, Jesus's mother 

Said unto him, "They have no wine, my son." 

He saith to her, "Woman, what have I 

To do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come." 

Then she saith to the servants, "Whatsoever 

He telleth you, that do." And there were set 

Six waterpots of stone after the manner 

Of purification, holding two firkins apiece. 

Then Jesus commanded, "Fill the pots with water." 

They did. And Jesus saith again, "Now draw 

And bear unto the governor of the feast." 

They bare it. And when the head-man of the feast 

Tasted the water turned to wine, he called 

The bridegroom, saying, "Every man doth set 

The best wine forth at first; and when the men 

Have taken much, they bring forth then the worst; 

But thou hast kept the good wine until now !" 

Now at this feast in Cana of Galilee 
Did Jesus meet a beautiful woman called Mary, 
Mary the Magdalene, from Magdala. 
And he loved her, because she was so fair 
In countenance and form, with a lovely voice 

33 



And hair and eyes, and manner ; and she loved him, 
For all did marvel at his manly beauty, — 
Since he was stately in physique, yet had 
A woman's tenderness ; and did great deeds. 

There was a certain nobleman, whose son 
Was sick at Capernaum; and when he heard 
That Jesus had come down to Galilee, 
He sought him out, and begged that he should heal 
His son — for he was at the point of death. 
Then Jesus said, "Except ye see wonders and signs, 
Ye will not believe/' The nobleman answered him, 
"Come down, ere my child die, sir!" Jesus said 
To him, "Go thou thy way — thy child liveth." 
The man believed, continuing on his way; 
And as he came, his servants met him, saying, 
"Thy son liveth." Then he inquired of them 
What hour he had begun to m^end. They said, 
"Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever 
Departed from him." Then the father knew 
It was the selfsame hour when Jesus said, 
"Thy son liveth," and he was sore amazed. 

This was the second wondrous thing that Jesus 
Did when he came to Galilee. 

And Jesus began to be about thirty years old. 

34 



Behold, he left his followers, and went 
Into the wilderness to meditate, 
And fasted there for forty days alone. 
Except for beasts and evil spirits there. 
At last his hunger gat upon him so 
That he desired to eat. And Satan came 
And said to him, — 

"If thou be Son of Man, 
Command this stone that it become as bread." 

But Jesus answered him, — 

"Is it not writ, 
*That man shall not exist by bread alone. 
But by every word of God the Lord'?" 

Then Satan carried him to Jerusalem, 
And set him up upon a pinnacle 
Of the temple, saying, — 

"If thou be Son of God, 
Cast thyself down from here, for it is written, 
'He shall give his angels charge o'er thee, 
To keep thee, lest at any time thou dash 
Thy foot against a stone'." 

Jesus replied, 
" 'Tis said. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God'.'* 

The Devil, taking him up to an high mountain 

35 



Showed him all the kingdoms of the land, 
And, tempting, said, — 

'This power will I give thee. 
And all the glory of them, for they are mine, 
And to whomsoever I will can I give them. 
If thou therefore wilt worship me, all this 
Shall be thine own, and thou shalt rule as king." 

But Jesus scorned the Devil, answering nothing. 

Behold, then Satan took the form of Mary 
Of Magdala, whom Jesus loved, and tempted. 
Saying,— 

"If thou wilt worship me, yea me, 
I will give thee the greatest happiness 
That ever man since Eve hath tasted of !" 

Jesus answered, — 

"Get thee behind me Satan: 
For it is written, 'Thou shalt worship the Lord 
Thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve'." 

Then Satan, and every demon which had been 
Mocking behind the stones, vanished away. 
And Jesus wept, because he was exhausted; 
But lo! good spirits came and ministered 
To him, and Gabriel did bless him, singing, 

"Blessed be thou, O Jesus of Nazareth, 

36 



For thou hast overcome the Evil One, 

Him hast thou trampled down beneath thy feet !'' 

And all the angels sang and did rejoice. 

But Satan was enraged because Jesus 
Would none of him, but spurned him and his king- 
dom. 
And he grew sullen like a thunder-cloud, 
That spreads from the horizon o'er the heavens, 
Blackening the day with angry spite 
And driving morning into dullest night. 
He shook his spirit form with howling rage. 
And summoned all his devils to conclave 
There in the wilderness where wicked imps 
Rejoice to dwell, plotting ill 'gainst man. 

First gathered unto their king Asmodeus 
The Massikin, who were the spirits of death, 
Of darkness and destruction — Lilin, Shedim, 
Ruchin, by name; and then the tribe of Jinn, 
Who were like horrid beasts, covered with hair ; 
And all the host besides of evil demons — 
Among whom flew the spirits of Fornication, 
Obsequiousness, Insatiableness, and Pride; 
Fighting, Injustice, Lust, and Jealousy; 
Lying, Anger, Envy, and Filthy Lucre; 

37 



Murder, Idolatry, and all the rest 

That prey upon the souls of heedless men. 

With silent shrieking sought they then their chief, 
The great Beelzebul — the mighty Satan, 
Who cruelly commanded order, and spoke: — 

"The time has come, sweet friends, when we must 
fight 
In order that we keep our kingdom safe. 
For truly there is one upon the earth 
Who calls himself the Son of Man — hostile 
Unto our ranks, and dangerous indeed. 
This man alone" — Azazel rolled around 
His wicked eyes across the multitude 
Of eager demons — "we should never fear, 
Not by grim Sheol's gruesome shades of Death ! 
But powers mightier than he have come 
To his assistance, sternly opposed to us — 
The righteous Gabriel and all the angel 
Spirits of heaven, of whom ye have some ken. 

Now there is one — a woman — who loveth him. 
And whom he loves : through her we gods shall work 
Him to undo, with all his helpers rash. 
We must teach man that Satan is to fear. 
What is your answer, O ye noble demons?" 

38 



A warlike murmur traveled through the ranks 
Of Asmodeus' contingent — never heard 
By man, but to their ears like to the hum 
Of countless wings of serried flocks of birds 
Just rising from the ground where they have fed. 

''I will proceed, do ye but follow me!" 
Cried Satan, well contented with their rage. 

That selfsame hour, behold, he entered Mary 
The Magdalene, though she did know it not. 

And Jesus left his followers, and came 
To Magdala to visit Mary there. 
Where was her home. She rejoiced to see him. 
And gladly welcomed him, whom she so loved. 
When Jesus looked into her glowing eyes — 
Bright with the light of passionate desire — 
He nigh forgot he was the Son of Man, 
Prophet of God, and lover of mankind. 
But only lover of Mary Magdalene. 

They did converse together of many things, 
And Mary asked : — 

"Whence cometh thy wondrous power, 
O Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Mary? 
Surely thou hast performed great miracles. 
For I myself have seen thee change to wine 

39 



Water there at the marriage-feast of Cana. 
Verily, the people marvel, saying, 
'Who is this mighty man, and whence is he ? 
Is he Elias come again to earth. 
Who speaks as if he had authority?' 
But others say — they are base-minded men- — 
'He does these things in league with Asmodeus!* 
Come, tell me truly, who and what art thou?" 
Then answered Jesus, — 

"The son of Joseph and Mary 
Am I; a carpenter of Nazareth 
I was, until an angel called me forth 
To fight the battle of Righteousness with Truth, 
Sincerity and Love against the foes 
Which are Maliciousness and Jealousy 
And Immorality, Vice, and Oppression, 
And thousand others that vex our weary earth 
And harden unwary hearts of heedless men 
And turn them into fortresses of stone, — 
Just as indeed the mud beneath the sea 
Is hardened by the awful weight above 
Of brine that has for endless periods 
Covered the filthiest sewage without sign; 
Or like a forest tree, that fallen to earth, 

40 






From an oil painting by P. & L. Wellsl 

Jesus and Mary Magdalene. 



Changes from living wood to hardest stone — 
A form — a rock — abiding, yet dead and gone." 

"And canst thou fight alone this fearful battle?'' 

*'Who said I fight alone? The man who is 
Upon the Lord's side truly has a host 
Of victories with him to do his work. 
I have with me the angels, and the spirits 
Of heaven, and what is more — Jahweh, my God. 
I cannot fail. My mission i§ insured. 
Let enemies threaten, put in prison, kill — 
They cannot shackle or hurt the Spirit of Truth, 
Nor can they bind with chains the loving soul. 
For it is everlasting in the world." 

"Thou art a prophet, Jesus of Nazareth !" 
Said Mary wondering at his sentences. 

"Verily thou hast said. But I am more — 
I am the Son of Man, come to recall 
Repentant men and women to the Kingdom. 
Since it is written, Thus saith the Lord, We heard 
A voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. 
Behold, the days are come that I will make 
A covenant with the house of Israel — 
New covenant, and with the house of Judah: 
And I will put my law in their inward parts, 

41 



Writing it on their hearts ; and I will be 
Their God, and they shall be my people then. 
And they shall all know me, from the least of them 
Unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord'." 

''Well dost thou know the scriptures and the 
prophets." 

'T have devoted time and study to them, 
And many other holy writings, too. 
Besides the great traditions of the elders. 
Did not the prophet Zechariah say, 
'Rejoice greatly, O thou daughter of Zion; 
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: 
Behold, thy King doth come now unto thee: 
For he is just, having salvation, lowly. 
Riding upon an ass, even upon 
A colt, the foal of an ass. I will cut off 
The chariot from Ephraim, and the horse 
From Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be 
Cut off: and he shall speak peace to the heathen; 
And his dominion shall be from sea to sea. 
And from the river unto the ends of the earth. 
Turn ye to the stronghold, prisoners of hope!' 
Thus will I be a bringer, too, of peace; 
And to the suffering, yea even comfort." 

42 



''Where didst thou learn to heal the sick, O Jesus ?" 
Demanded again Mary the Magdalene. 

"Woman, it is a gift that comes from above. 
Behold, the power was given unto me 
To cast out demons in the name of the Lord, 
To heal the sick, the lame, the dumb and blind. 
The angel Gabriel has given me 
Some of his strength; Elijah has come to me. 
And blessed me, saying, 'Behold, thou son of man. 
Now is the time to bring the Kingdom in'. 
Knewst not, that I must do my Father's work? 
The world advances, not by itself alone — 
For Satan ever is present to turn to evil 
The unwary minds of heedless men and women — 
But by the hand of God, and sons of men 
Who harbor Wisdom in their hearts and try 
To change for good men's wicked purposes. 
When the Kingdom comes, the eye of man shall see 
More glory than in all the ages past! 
Like as the night — by darkness shrouded fast, 
Surrounded everywhere by pallid gloom. 
Having no light except where here and there 
A star breaks through the passing midnight clouds 
To show to man that God is in the sky 

43 



And that the shadows are but temporary 

PaviHons covering the face of Earth — 

Recedes and vanishes before the break 

Of early dawn, which scatters from the heavens 

The last faint traces of departed dusk 

With glorious colors of the rising sun, 

Bright standards of the Universal love. 

And man awakes from his long sleep, and shouts 

For joy, and the birds carol with delight; — 

So when the King has been proclaimed as Lord, 

And on the earth the kingdom is established. 

Then Israel shall clap her hands and shout, 

And all the nations shall be exceeding glad. 

And sin shall vanish, and love shall wax fore'er." 

But Mary did not understand his words. 
Wherein he saith the Kingdom is at hand. 
But thought that Jesus meant that he would be 
King of the Jews, and govern all the land 
With sceptered might and regal authority. 
Since well she knew how many followers 
He had, and what great power to command 
And to perform most wonderful miracles. 
Whereby he could make seizure of the power 
And make fulfilment of the prophecies, 

44 



Which say, 'And he shall be among the nations, 
And shall rebuke many people : and they shall beat 
Their swords to plowshares, their spears to pruning- 

hooks : 
Nation shall not lift sword against a nation, 
Neither shall they learn battle any more'. 
So Mary smiled with secret joy, and said, — 

"Then soon indeed, O Jesus, thou wilt cease 
From wandering about the land alone 
Or with a scattered following, as thou 
Hast done — going about from place to place, 
A wanderer without a wife or home 
Or little children who shall bear thy name — 
Unwelcome here, despised there, although 
Elsewhere performing mighty miracles, 
But with an army gathered, at their head 
Wilt thou proclaim thyself Israel's king. 
And reign with princely pomp acclaimed by all, 
And have the objects of thy heart's desire." 

Thus Mary spoke. And immediately the Devil, 
Which was in her (though no man knew of it) 
Cried out, '^esus of Nazareth, come love. 
For we are young and fair, but soon the time 
For loving will have passed away for ever. 

45 



In fondest rapture let us together dwell; 
And I to thee — thy head upon my bosom — 
Will give great inspiration born of love!" 

Her lustrous eyes shone bright, and her fair breasts, 
Whose upper swelling only was exposed, 
Heaved passionately; and she on him did smile 
With more enticement than her mother Eve 
Smiled on her amorous husband, Adam her Lord. 

Jesus was sorrowful, and turning away 
His eyes, he answered her : — 

"Thou dost not know, 
Mary, what my accomplishment will be. 
'Tis written, 'He is despised and rejected of men, 
A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief ; we hid 
As it were our faces from him; he was despised, 
And we esteemed him not. Surely he 
Hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows ; yet 

we 
Esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 
He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised 
For our iniquities ; and the chastisement 
Of our peace was on him ; with his stripes 
We have been healed. All we like sheep have gone 
Astray — every one to his own way; 

46 



And God hath laid on him the iniquity 

Of all. He was oppressed, and was afflicted, 

Yet opened not his mouth; brought as a lamb 

To slaughter — as a sheep before her shearers 

Is dumb — so he openeth not his mouth. 

He was taken away from prison and judgment; 

Who shall declare his generation? for he 

Was severed off out of the land of the living ; 

For transgressions of my people was he stricken. 

He made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich 

In death, because he did no violence. 

Neither was any deceit found in his mouth. 

Yet it pleased God to bruise and put him to grief : 

When thou shalt make his soul an offering 

For sin, then shall he see his generation. 

He shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of God 

Shall prosper in his hand. He shall behold 

The travail of his soul, and be content : 

For by his knowledge shall my righteous servant 

Set many right, bearing their sinfulness. 

So will I divide him portions of the great, 

And he shall share the spoil with the strong, for he 

Hath poured his soul out unto death, and he 

Was numbered with transgressors ; the sin of many 

47 



He bare, and made intercession for the transgressors', 

Behold, the Son of Man hath little time 
Remaining, and he must be about his work. 
Thou asketh love — Mary, thou hast my love." 

Then did the devil in Mary whisper softly, 
''Jesus, if thou dost love me, come and love!" 

But he, perceiving there was a demon in her, 
Yet knowing not it was Beelzebul, 
The Prince of Demons, did abjure it, crying, 
''Devil, come forth from Mary of Magdala!" 
And when he saw that nothing could avail. 
For Satan had with him six other devils. 
He turned away, and sorrowfully departed, 
And going alone into a desert place 
He wept, and he would not be comforted, 
Because that Mary was possessed of demons. 
But Mary Magdalene loved Jesus the more, 
Although she could not comprehend, blinded 
By them that possessed her, what his mission was. 

After Jesus had fasted in the desert. 
And prayed to God for strength, he came again 
Unto the Jordan country. The next day after, 
John stood, and two of his disciples with him, 
Looking on Jesus as he walked, and saith, 

48 



"Behold the Son of Man !" The two disciples 
Heard him speak, and followed Jesus. Then 
Jesus did turn, and saw them following. 
And said to them, "What seek ye?" They replied, 
"Rabbi (which being interpreted means Master) 
Where dwellest thou?" He answered, "Come and 



see." 



They came to where he dwelt, and abode with him 
That day, for it was then about tenth hour. 
One of the two was Andrew, Peter's brother. 
Who found his brother Simon Peter, and said, 
"Lo, we have found the Messiah," and brought him 

to Jesus, 
Who, when he beheld him, said, "Thou art the son 
Of Jonah — Simon. Thou shalt be called Cephas," 
Which means a stone. The next day Jesus went 
To Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith, 
"Come, follow me." Now Philip was a son 
Of Bethsaida — the city of Andrew and Peter. 
And Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith, 
"We have found him of whom Moses in the law 
And the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, 
The son of Joseph." Then said Nathanael, 
"Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" 

49 



And Philip answered, ''Come, and see." When Jesus 
Beheld Nathanael come to him, he saith, 
"An Israelite, in whom there is no guile!" 
Nathanael replied, "Whence knowest thou me?" 
Jesus answered, "Before that Philip called thee, 
When thou wast under the fig tree, there I saw thee." 
^'Rabbi, thou art the Son of Man, the King 
Of Israel!" Nathanael replied. 
And Jesus answered, "Because I said to thee, 
I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? 
Verily, thou shalt see greater things than these. 
I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see 
The heavens open, and angels of God ascend 
And descend upon the Son of Man." 
After this he went to Capernaum — 
He, and his mother, and brethren, and his disciples. 
Soon the passover of the Jews was at hand, 
So Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and found 
Men in the temple selling oxen and sheep 
And doves, and changers of money sitting there. 
And when he had fashioned a scourge of leathern 

cords. 
He drove them out of the temple — all, with the sheep, 
And oxen, and poured the changers' money out, 

50 



And overthrew the tables, saying to them 

That sold the doves, "Take these things hence — make 

not 
My Father's house a house of merchandise !" 

Many beheld the miracles he did 
When in Jerusalem at the passover ; 
But Jesus did not commit himself to them. 
Since well he knew, alas ! what was in man ! 

A man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, 
Sought Jesus out by night, and said to him, — 
"Rabbi, we know thou art a teacher of God, 
For no man doeth these miracles thou doest 
Except that God be with him." Jesus replied, — 
"Truly, I tell thee, unless a man be born 
Again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 
Then Nicodemus asked, "How can a man 
Be born when he is old? Can he enter a second 
Time his mother's womb, and thus be born?" 
Jesus answered, "Truly, I say unto thee, 
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, but that 
Which is born of the spirit is spirit; so marvel 
Not that I say, thou must be born again. 
The wind blows where it listeth, and thou hearest 
The sound thereof, but canst not tell from whence 

51 



It comes or whither it goes; so verily 
Is every one that is born of the spirit." 

Now in Jerusalem, by the sheep market, 
There is a pool called in the Hebrew tongue 
Bethesda, having five porches, within which lay 
A multitude of impotent folk, of blind. 
Halt, withered, waiting for movement of the water. 
For spirits came down to the pool at certain seasons 
And troubled the water; whosoever then 
First entered the pool was cured of his disease. 
A certain man, which had an infirmity 
For eight and thirty years was there. When Jesus 
Saw him, he said, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." 
At once the man was healed, and took his bed 
And walked ; and on the same day was the Sabbath. 
The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, 
"It is the Sabbath day; it is not lawful 
For thee to carry thy bed." He answered them, 
"The man who made me whole said unto me, 
'Take up thy bed, and walk'." They asked him then, 
"What man is that which said it unto thee ?" 
But he knew not, for Jesus had gone off 
Because of the multitude, but afterward 
Finding him in the temple he said unto him, 

52 




^ 

^ 



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"Behold, thou art made whole; but sin no more, 
Lest a worse thing come to thee." The man departed, 
And told the Jews it was Jesus who made him whole. 
The Jews therefore did persecute Jesus, 
Because on the Sabbath day he did these things. 

Soon Jesus journeyed down to Nazareth, 
Where he had been brought up, and as was wont 
Went in the synagog on the Sabbath day. 
And stood to read. They gave to him the book 
Of the prophet Isaiah, and when he had opened it, 
He read where it was written, *The spirit of God 
Is upon me, for he hath anointed me to preach 
The gospel to the weak; he hath sent me 
To heal the broken-hearted, deliverance 
To preach to captives, return of sight to the blind, 
To set at liberty them that are bruised. 
And preach the acceptable year of the Lord.' 
He closed the book, gave it to the minister, 
And then sat down, with the eyes of all the folk 
That were in the synagog fastened upon him. 
He said, "This day is the scripture fulfilled in your ears." 
They wondered at his gracious words, and said, 
"Is not this Joseph's son?" But Jesus answered, 
"Surely ye will say to me, Thysician, 

53 



Heal thyself; what in Capernaum 
Thou didst, do also here in thy country*. 
But verily I say, In his own country 
No prophet is accepted. Many widows 
Were there in Israel in Elijah's days, 
When the sky was closed for three years and six months, 
And awful famine was through all the land: 
But unto none of them was Elijah sent 
Save to a widow woman of Zarepath 
A town of Zidon. And many lepers, too. 
Were in Israel in Elisha the prophet's time, 
Yet none were cleansed save Naaman the Syrian." 
When they who were in the synagog heard this, 
They were enraged, and rising thrust him out 
Of the city and dragged him to the brow of the hill 
Whereon their town was built, that they might cast 
Him headlong down. But he passed through their midst, 
And leaving Nazareth he went his way 
Unto Capernaum, wherein he dwelt — 
Which is upon the sea-coast, bordering on 
Naphtali and Zebulon: *By way of the sea, 
Beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles, 
The people who sat in darkness saw a light', — 
Thus were the words of Isaiah the prophet fulfilled. 

54 



Book III 

WALKING by Galilee, Jesus perceived 
Two brethren — Simon Peter and Andrew his 
brother, 
Casting a net in the sea, for they were fishers. 
These were the same that had been following John. 

It came to pass, as the people pressed to him 
To hear the word of God, he saw two ships 
Standing by the lake. He entered one. 
Which was the ship of Simon, and prayed that he 
Would thrust the boat a little from the land, 
And sitting taught the people from the boat. 

When he had ceased, he said to Simon Peter, 
"Launch out into the deep ; let down your nets." 
But Simon said, "We have toiled all the night, 
Yet nothing have we caught. Nevertheless, 
Will I let down the net at thy command." 
They did, and enclosed a multitude of fishes. 
So that their net was broken. Then called they 
Unto their partners in the other ship. 
To come and help. They came, and filled the boats 

55 



So that they both began to sink with the load. 
When Simon saw it, he fell at Jesus' knees, 
Crying, "Depart from me, O Lord, for I 
Am a sinful man." For he was astonished, and all 
With him, at the draught of fishes they took, and so 
Was James, and John, the sons of Zebedee. 
Then Jesus said, "Come, follow me, and I 
Will make you fishers of men." So they forsook 
Straightway their nets, and followed him. And when 
He had advanced a little farther thence. 
He saw both James and John, who mended their nets 
In the boat. He called to them ; they left their father 
Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants. 
And followed Jesus. 

They went to Capernaum; 
And as it was the Sabbath day, he entered 
The synagog, and taught. All were astonished. 
For he taught them as one with authority. 
Not as the scribes. There was in the synagog 
A man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, 
"Let us alone, for what have we to do 
With thee, O Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou 
Come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, 
Thou Son of Man !" But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 

56 



"Hold thou thy peace, and come without of him!" 
And when the evil spirit had torn him, crying 
Aloud, he did come out. All were amazed. 
And questioned among themselves, "What thing is 

this? 
What doctrine is this? For with authority 
Commandeth he the unclean spirits even, 
And they obey him." Immediately his fame 
Spread through the region round about Galilee. 

Forthwith, when they had left the synagog, 
They entered the house of Simon with James and 

John, 
And there lay Simon's mother-in-law abed. 
Sick of a fever; but Jesus lifted her up 
By the hand, and immediately the fever left her. 
And she did minister to them. At even. 
At sun-set, they brought all that were diseased 
To Jesus; too, the folk possessed with devils. 
All the town was gathered at the door, 
And there he healed the sick of divers diseases, 
Casting out evil spirits with his word. 
That it might be fulfilled which Isaiah said, 
*He took our infirmities and sicknesses'. 

So in the morning, rising ere the day, 

57 



He went into a solitary place, 

To pray ; and Simon and those with him did follow, 

And finding him, said, "All men seek for thee." 

Then Jesus went about all Galilee, 
Teaching, and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, 
And healing sicknesses among the people. 
Behold, his fame went through all Syria. 
They brought to him diseased and tortured people. 
And those possessed with demons, the lunatic, 
And them that had the palsy. He healed them. 
Multitudes of people followed him 
From Galilee, Decapolis, Judaea, 
Jerusalem, and from beyond the Jordan. 

After a season he entered Capernaum. 
And as he taught, some of the Pharisees 
And doctors of the law were sitting by. 
Gathered from every part. Behold men brought 
In a bed a man who had the palsy; because 
They could not bring him through the door (the 

crowd 
Left them no room to pass) they took him up 
Upon the roof and let him through the tiling, 
With his bed, into the midst before Jesus, 
Who, when he saw their faith, said unto him, 

58 







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"Be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven thee." 
The scribes and Pharisees all murmured then. 
But he that had been sick arose before them, 
And taking his bed departed to his house, 
Glorifying God. So they were amazed. 
And feared, and said, — "We have seen marvelous 

things 
Today. We never saw it in this fashion." 
Again did Jesus go forth to the side of the sea, 
And multitudes resorted unto him. 
As he passed by, he saw Levi the son 
Of Alpheus sitting at the receipt of custom, 
And said to him, "Matthew, follow me." 
So he left all, and rose and followed him ; 
And Levi had a feast in his own house. 
And lo, the publicans and sinners came 
And sat with him and his disciples. But when 
The Pharisees saw it, they asked, "Why does 
Your master eat with publicans and sinners?" 
Jesus replied, "The well need not physicians. 
But they who sufifer. Go ye and learn what means, 
I will have mercy, but not the sacrifice. 
I am not come to call the righteous men. 
But sinners to repentance." Then there came 

59 



To him some followers of John, demanding, 

"Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft 

And say our prayers, but thy disciples not?" 

Jesus replied, "As long as they have with them 

The bridegroom, they can not afford to fast. 

But time will come when the bridegroom shall be 

dragged 
Away from them: in those days they will fast." 

He spake also a parable unto them: 
"No man doth put a piece of new garment 
Upon an old; if otherwise, then both 
The new maketh a rent, nor does it match 
The old. And no man putteth into old 
Bottles new wine, else the new wine will burst 
The bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles perish. 
New wine must be put into newest bottles. 
For both are then preserved. Yet so it is, 
That no man also having drunk old wine 
Straightway desireth new — the old seems better." 

It happened that on the second sabbath after 
He went with his disciples through the corn-fields ; 
And his disciples plucked the ears of corn, 
And ate of it, rubbing it in their hands. 
Then certain Pharisees said unto them, 

60 



"Why do ye unlawful things on the sabbath day?" 
But Jesus answering said, "Have ye not read 
So much as this, what David did when he 
Himself was hungry? and they who were with him? 
How he went into the house of God in the days 
Of Abiather the priest, and ate the shrewbread. 
Which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for 
Those with him, but only for the priests ? Have ye 
Not read in the law, how on the sabbath days 
The priests in the temple profane the sabbath day 
And yet are blameless? but I say unto you. 
There is one greater than the temple here. 
If ye had known what means, I will have mercy — 
Not sacrifice, ye would not condemn the guiltless. 
The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sab- 
bath, — 
Therefore the Son of Man is lord of it." 

When he departed, he went to their synagog; 
And there was a man whose hand was withered. The 

scribes 
And Pharisees kept watch on him to see 
If he would heal on the sabbath day — to bring 
An accusation against him. But Jesus perceived 
Their thoughts, and said to the man, "Arise! stand 

forth !" 

61 



He did. They asked, "Is it lawful to heal on the 

sabbath?" 
Then Jesus replied, *T ask of you one thing: 
Is it lawful upon the sabbath to do good, 
Or to do evil? to save life, or destroy it? 
What man is there among you who would not, 
If he had a sheep that fell into a pit 
On the sabbath day, seize it and lift it out? 
How much is a man better than a sheep?" 

They held their peace. When he had looked around 
On them with anger, grieved for their hard hearts, 
He spoke unto the man, ''Stretch forth thy hand!" 
He stretched it out, and it was made as whole 
As the other. But filled with madness the Pharisees 
Went forth, and plotted with the Herodians 
Straightway against him, to take away his life. 
But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples 
Seaward; and multitudes from Galilee 
Did follow, as well as from all other parts. 
So he spake from a ship; and healed divers diseases. 

It came to pass those days, that Jesus went 
Upon a mountain to pray; and all the night 
Continued in prayer to God. When it was day, 
He calleth to himself those whom he would; 

62 



And twelve of them he did ordain, that they 

Should be with him; that he might send them forth 

To preach, have power to heal, and cast out demons ; 

And them he called apostles : — Simon Peter, 

Andrew his brother, James and John the sons 

Of Zebedee (Boanerges, which means 

"The sons of thunder,'' Jesus surnamed them) ; Philip 

Matthew the publican, Bartholomew, 

And Thomas, and Simon the Canaanite (Zelotes, 

Too, he was called), and James, Alpheus's son, 

And Judas the brother of James, and the other Judas, 

Judas Iscariot, which was the traitor. 

So he came down with them, and stood in the plain ; 
And the company of his disciples, and crowds 
Of people came to hear and be made whole. 

Seeing the throngs, he went up onto a mountain ; 
And his disciples coming, he taught them there. 
Blessing them with the many beatitudes ; 
He likened them to the salt of the earth, and light 
Of the world ; he said he came to fulfill the law, 
Not to destroy ; he spoke of the danger of anger 
Toward a brother; dangers of lustful thoughts; 
Of making oaths ; of desire for revenge ; 
The beauty of loving even one's enemies ; 

63 



Of giving alms with charitable intent; 

Of prayer truly sincere, and of forgiveness, 

And treasures laid up in heaven, not on earth, 

Of the joy of life, kind deeds and sympathy. 

"Therefore whoever heareth these sayings of mine," 

Spake Jesus, "and doeth them, I liken him 

To a wise man who builded his house on a rock: 

The rain descended, the floods came, and the winds 

Blew, and beat upon that house, but it 

Fell not, for it was founded upon a rock!" 

When he had made an end of teaching there, 
He went to Capernaum, and here he healed 
The servant of a certain centurion. 
This servant was dear to him, and he was dear 
To the elders, because he built them a synagog, 
And they sought Jesus, beseeching him to heal 
The servant. When he was now quite near the house, 
The centurion sent to Jesus' friends, who said 
For him, "Lord, trouble not thyself, for I 
Am not worthy that shouldst enter in 
My house, nor am I worthy to come to thee. 
Say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 
For I am also used to authority. 
Having beneath me soldiers : I say to one, 

64 



Go, and he goeth; to others, Come, and they come; 
Unto my servant, Do this, and he doeth it/' 

When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, 
And turned around, saying unto the people, 
"I have never found so great a faith, no, not 
In Israel. Many shall come from the east 
And west, and sit with Abraham, and Isaac; 
But the children of Israel shall be cast out!" 

When they returned, they found the servant whole. 

It came to pass, that he came to the town of Nain, 
And there he raised from the bier a widow's son, 
And great was the rejoicing. 

Now John's disciples 
Told John these things, and he sent messengers 
To Jesus, asking, "Art thou he that should come? 
Or look we for another?" Jesus answered, 
"Go, tell to John what things ye have seen and heard : 
How blind men see, the lame men walk, the lepers 
Are cleansed, the deaf men hear, the dead are raised. 
And the gospel is preached to the poor. Blessed is he. 
Who is not offended in me!" And when the men 
Of John had gone, he said concerning John, — 

"What went ye out into the wilderness in truth 
To see? a reed bowed by the wind? a man 

65 



Clothed in soft raiment? They who are appareled 

Gorgeously and delicately live 

Are in kings' courts. A prophet? Verily, 

Much more; for this is he, of whom 'tis writ. 

My messenger I send before thy face. 

Who shall prepare thy way before thee. Lo, 

Among those born of women hath not risen 

A greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is 

Least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. 

Prom John the Baptist's day till now the Kingdom 

Suffereth violence, and the violent 

Take it by force. For until John, the law 

And prophets prophesied. This is Elias, 

If ye will accept it, who was for to come. 

So he that hath the ears to hear, hear. 

Whereunto shall I liken this generation? 
What are they like? Children who sit in the market 
Place, calling to one another, saying, 
*We piped to you — ye have not danced; we mourned 
To you — ye have not wept.' For John the Baptist 
Came eating no bread nor drinking wine; 
And ye remark, 'He hath a devil.' The Son 
Of man comes eating and drinking; and ye remark, 
'Behold a gluttonous man, a bibber of wine, 

66 



A friend of publicans and sinners.' But wisdom 
Is justified of all her children." 

Then 
He upbraided the cities wherein his miracles 
Were done, because they paid no heed: — 

"Oh woe 
To thee, Chorazin, and woe, Bethsaida, 
To thee! for if the mighty works were done 
In Tyre and Sidon that have been done in thee. 
They would have showed repentance long ago 
In sack-cloth and ashes. But I say unto you. 
It shall be easier for Tyre and Sidon 
On judgment day than you !" And angrily 
He spake again, — 

"I thank thee, Father, Lord 
Of earth and heaven, because that thou hast hid 
These things from the wise and prudent, and hast re- 
vealed 
Them unto babes — since so it has seemed prudent." 
Again he spake: — 

"Come unto me, all ye 
That labor and are heavy laden, and I 
Will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, 
And learn of me, for I am meek and lowly 

67 



In heart; and ye shall find rest for your souls. 
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." 

About this time, Mary Magdalene, 
Who had perceived she was possessed of devils, 
Sought Jesus, whom she loved, that he might free 
Her from the torment, since she knew no rest 
Nor day nor night; and him she found preaching 
The gospel of the kingdom. Sad and tired 
She threw herself upon the ground at his feet, 
In the presence of his disciples, and begged that he 
Might drive the demons out. Behold, he prayed 
To God with a loud voice, and then commanded 
The evil spirits to come from her. And lo, 
With a mighty noise like rushing of many wings 
Satan with his six wicked spirits left her; 
And all were sore afraid. But Jesus rejoiced, 
Because he had delivered Mary from Satan, 
And Hfted Mary up, and blessed her there, 
And went his way, followed by his disciples, 
Who marveled greatly at the miracle. 

One of the Pharisees desired that Jesus 
Would eat with him, the following day. So he 
Entered the Pharisee's house, and sat to meat. 
And lo, when Mary learned that Jesus sat 

68 



At meat in the Pharisee's house, she came in too, 
Bringing an alabaster box of ointment, 
And stood at his feet behind him, weeping sore, 
And began to wash his feet with tears, and wiped 
Them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, 
Anointing them with ointment. But when Simon, 
Who had invited Jesus, saw the thing, 
He spake within himself, saying, ''This man, 
If he were indeed a prophet, would know what man- 
ner 
Of woman this is, and who, that toucheth him : 
For she is a sinner." Jesus, answering, said, — 
"Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee." 
He said. ''Say on, O master." "There was a certain 
Creditor which had two debtors : one 
Owed him five hundred pence, the other, fifty. 
When they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave 
Them both. Tell me, therefore, which of the two 
Will love him most?" Simon replied, "I think 
That he, to whom he did forgive the most." 
Jesus answered, "Thou hast rightly judged." 
Then, turning to the woman, he said, "Simon, 
Seest thou this woman? I entered thine house, — 
Thou gavest me no water for my feet; 

69 



But she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped 
Them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me 
No kiss; but she unceasingly hath kissed 
My feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint; 
But she with ointment hath anointed my feet. 
Therefore I say to thee, her sins, which are many, 
Are now forgiven, for she loved very much. 
Whoso is forgiven little, loveth little." 

And Jesus went through all the villages. 
Teaching and preaching and healing sicknesses 
Among the people. The twelve were with him, and 

certain 
Women, which had been healed of evil spirits 
And weaknesses — Mary Magdalene, 
From whom went seven devils; Joanna the wife 
Of Chuza, Herod's steward; Susanna; and others, — 
Who ministered unto Jesus from their substance. 

Then there was brought to him a man possessed 
With devils — ^blind and dumb; and he healed him, 
So that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 
And all the people were amazed, and said, 
"Is this not David's son?" The Pharisees, 
When they heard of it, said, "This fellow doth 
Not cast out devils but by Beelzebub, 

70 



The prince of devils." Jesus knew their thoughts, 
And said to them, "Every kingdom divided 
Against itself is brought to desolation; 
And every town or house divided against 
Itself can not remain: therefore if Satan 
Cast Satan out, he is divided against 
Himself, and how then can his kingdom stand? 
And if by Beelzebub I cast out demons, 
By whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore 
They shall judge you. But if by the spirit of God 
I cast out devils, then the kingdom of God 
Is come to you. Or else how can one enter 
Into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods. 
Except he first bind the strong man? and then 
He spoils the house. He who is not with me 
Is against me; and he who gathereth not with me 
Scattereth it abroad. If the tree is good. 
The fruit is good, but if the tree is corrupt, 
So is the fruit : a tree is known by its fruit. 
O generation of vipers, how can ye, evil, 
Speak forth good things? For of the heart's abund- 
ance 
Speaketh the mouth: good, good: but evil, bad!" 
That day went Jesus out of the house, and sat 

71 



By the seaside, and there he taught. So great 

A multitude assembled, he entered a ship, 

And spoke from the sea to the people on the land, 

Teaching in parables : — the sower who sowed 

With varying results. "But he that received 

The seed into good ground is he that heareth 

The word and receiveth it in a good and honest 

Heart and understandeth it, and too 

Beareth, with patience, fruit, and bringeth forth, 

Thirty, sixty, or even an hundred fold. 

No man who lights a candle covereth it. 

But setteth it on a candlestick that they 

Who enter may see the light. For nothing is secret, 

That shall not be made manifest; nor hid. 

That shall not be made known and come abroad. 

Take heed then how ye hear: for he that hath, 

To him shall much be given; and who hath not, 

From him is taken whatever he seems to have." 

In another parable he likened the kingdom 

To harvests of wheat, in which are many tares 

Until the cutting time. 

Also, he said, — 
"The kingdom is like a grain of mustard seed. 
Which a man did take and sow within his field; 

72 







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It is indeed the least among the seeds, 
But when it is grown, it is the greatest of herbs, 
And becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air 
Descend and lodge in the branches thereof. 
The kingdom is like to leaven, which a woman took 
And hid in three measures of meal till all was leav- 
ened. 
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure 
Hid in a field ; the which, when a man hath found, 
He hideth, and for the joy thereof he goeth 
And selleth all he hath and buyeth that field. 
Or yet, the kingdom is like unto a net 
Cast in the sea, which gathered every kind ; 
And when it was full, they drew it to the shore." 

Then Jesus said, ^'The man who has been taught 
The secrets of the kingdom is like a man 
That is an householder, who bringeth forth 
Out of his treasure things both new and old." 

When Jesus had finished speaking, he gave com- 
mand 
To depart to the other side. Therefore they launched 
The boat. Behold, there rose a mighty tempest, 
So that the ship was covered with the waves. 
Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. 

73 



They roused him, crying, "Master, carest thou not 
Whether we perish?" He stood upright, rebuked 
The wind, and said to the waters, "Peace ! be still !" 
The wind did cease, and great calm came. He said, 
"Why are ye fearful, ye of little faith?" 
But they did marvel, saying, "What manner of man 
Is this, whom even the winds and sea obey!" 

And when he had arrived at the other side. 
Into the country of the Gergesenes, 
There met him two possessed with devils, coming 
Out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that 
No man might pass that way. They had been bound 
Often with chains and fetters, but they had torn 
Their bonds asunder ; and they could not be tamed. 
Both night and day they lived in the hills and tombs, 
Crying, and cutting themselves with stones. But when 
They saw Jesus from far away, they ran 
Toward him, crying, "What have we to do with thee, 
Jesus of Nazareth? For hast thou come 
To torture us before the time?" 

"What is your name ?" demanded Jesus of them ! 

They answered, "Legion, good master, is our 
name, 
For we are many. If thou must cast us forth, 

74 



Send us we pray thee into that herd of swine !" 
(Since there was feeding near a herd of swine.) 
And Jesus said, — "Behold the Son of Man 
Is come to earth to destroy the power of Satan, 
So that the Kingdom will be free to thrive. 
Come forth, ye evil spirits!" And they went out, 
And entered the swine ; and violently the herd 
Ran down the hill and perished in the sea. 

And Jesus returned to his own country, and spake 
To his disciples on the way, saying, 
"When unclean spirits have gone out of a man. 
They walk through arid places seeking rest. 
But finding none, they say, 'We will return 
Into our house from whence we are come out.' 
Then they return, finding their houses empty, 
Swept, and garnished; and they go and take 
Seven more spirits even wickeder 
Than they themselves ; and so they enter in 
And dwell. The last state of those men is worse 
E'en than the first. This wicked generation 
Shall have it likewise so unto themselves." 

While yet he talked, behold his mother and brethren 
Stood without, wishing to speak with him. 
One said to Jesus, "Thy mother and brethren stand 

75 



Without, wishing to speak with thee." He said, 
''Who is my mother? behold, who are my brethren?" 
Then stretching forth his hand toward his disciples 
He said, "Behold, my mother and my brethren! 
Whoever shall do the will of my Father in heaven. 
He is my brother, my sister, and my mother." 
But his relations thought that he was crazy. 
Many, hearing him teach in the synagog, 
Astonished, said, ''Whence hath this man his wisdom 
And mighty works? Is he not the carpenter's son? 
Is not his mother called Mary? his brethren, James, 
And Joses, Simon, and Judas? His sisters, are they 
Not all with us? Whence hath this man these gifts!" 
They were offended in him. But Jesus said, 
"A prophet is not without honor, save in his own 
Country, among his kin, and his own house." 
He could there do no mighty work, except 
He laid his hands on some sick folk and healed them, 
Marveling because of their unbelief. 
But on the little ones he took compassion 
Because they fainted, scattered abroad, like sheep 
Without a shepherd. Spake he to his disciples, 
"The harvest is full, but laborers are few; 
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he 

7e 



Will send forth laborers into his harvest." 
When he had called to him his twelve disciples, 

He gave them power against the unclean spirits, 

To cast them out, and heal all kinds of disease. 

And he began to send them forth by twos. 

Commanding thus: — 

"Go not into the way 

Of the Gentiles, or any town of Samaria, 

But rather seek ye Israel's lost sheep. 

And preach, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

Heal sick, cleanse lepers, raise dead, and cast out 
devils. 

Freely ye have received, so freely give. 

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst 

Of wolves; be therefore wise as serpents, and harm- 
less 

As doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver 

You up to councils, and scourge you in synagogs. 

But take no thought of how or what ye say 

When ye are delivered up and brought before 

The governors and rulers for my sake, 

For testimony against them and the Gentiles: 

The spirit of your Father speaketh in you. 

Ye shall be hated by men for my name's sake, 

77 



But who endureth to the end is saved. 

Who taketh not his cross and foUoweth me, 

He is not worthy of me. Yea, he that findeth 

His life shall lose it, and whoso loseth his life 

For my name's sake shall find it. And who shall give 

To drink to one of these poor folk a cup 

Of water only in a disciple's name, 

Truly shall he in no wise lose his reward." 

So they went out, and preached, and cast out devils, 

Anointed the sick, and healed them everywhere. 

And Jesus departed thence to teach and preach. 
Now Herod heard of him (his name had spread 
Abroad), and thought that he was John the Baptist 
Risen from the dead, because he did 
Such mighty works. (Some said. This is Elias, 
And others, This is a prophet, or son of a prophet, 
But Herod said. This man is John, whom I 
Beheaded — he is risen from the dead.) 
For Herod himself had sent and seized on John 
And for Herodias' sake bound him in prison 
(She was his brother Philip's wife, but he 
Had married her). For John had said to Herod, 
"It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's 
Wife," and Herodias was angry against him, 

78 



And would have killed him, but she could not, since 

Herod 
Had fear of John, knowing that he was just 
And holy, and too observed him ; and when he heard 

him, 
Did many things, and heard him very gladly. 

So when a convenient day was come, that Herod 
Gave to his lords, high captains, and chief estates 
Of Galilee a supper upon his birthday, 
Herodias' daughter came in and danced, and pleased 
Herod and those who sat with him; and he 
Said to the damsel, "Ask whatever thou wilt 
Of me, and I will give it thee, even 
Unto the half of my kingdom," and he sware it. 
The girl went forth and said unto her mother, 
''What shall I ask?'' She answered, "John the Bap- 
tist's 
Head." So she returned at once to the king, 
And asked of him: — "I will that thou give me 
Upon a platter the head of John the Baptist 
By and by." The king was exceeding sorry, 
Yet for the sake of his oath and them that sat 
With him, he would not reject the girl's request. 
Immediately an executioner 

79 



The king sent forth, commanding the head to be 

brought : 
So he beheaded him in the prison and brought 
His head upon a platter, and offered it 
To her ; and the damsel gave it to her mother. 
And when his disciples heard of it, they came 
And took his corpse and laid it in a tomb. 

But they knew not the works of Beelzebub, 
Who, hating John because of his holiness 
And his love for Jesus besides, had secretly 
Approached Herodias, and in her mind — 
Which, being sinful, was an easy prey — 
Had put desire for John the Baptist's death; 
Her daughter, too, and Herod he visited, 
Since they were friends to him and his kingdom. 

Wonderful miracles Jesus performed 
In all the country near Gennesaret. 

But Satan with his foul demons entered many 
Of his disciples, that they should take offense 
At him and what he preached, and go away. 
So these deserted him, and murmured loud, 
And walked no more with him. Then Jesus said 
Unto the twelve, ''Will ye too go away?" 

Peter (whom Jesus had surnamed the Rock) 

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Answered and said, "To whom, Lord, shall we go? 
Thou hast the words of eternal life; and we 
Believe thou art the Christ, the Son of Man!" 

Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you twelve, 
And one of you a devil !" He spake of Judas 
Iscariot, the son of Simon: since he 
It was, one of the twelve, that should betray him. 
Satan had sought him out especially. 
And entered his heart, knowing that very soon 
He would betray his master — demon-filled! 
But Judas knew it not, nor any man else. 
And many evil spirits entered the Jews, 
Especially the priests in authority, 
At Beelzebul's command, to make them wish 
To put to torture Jesus of Nazareth. 

So after these events did Jesus walk 
In Galilee, for he would not remain 
In Jewry, because they sought to kill him there. 
And his apostles returned to him, and told 
Him all that they had done. Then he took them, 
And privately went aside to a desert place. 



81 



Book IV 

THERE came to Jesus Pharisees and certain 
Scribes, from Jerusalem, for they had seen 
That some of the disciples ate their bread 
With hands that were defiled— that is, unwashen. 
(For Pharisees and all the Jews, except 
They diligently wash their hands, eat not. 
Keeping traditions of the elders; and when 
They come from the market-place they do not eat 
Until they bathe themselves ; and other rules 
They follow — washings of cups, and pots, and brazen 
Vessels.) So they asked him: 

"Why do not thy 
Disciples walk according to the traditions 
Of the elders, but eat their bread with hands 
Defiled?" He answered them, "Well did Isaiah 
Prophesy of you, O hypocrites, 
As it is writ: ^This people honoreth me 
With their lips, but their heart is far from me. In vain 
They worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts 
Of men.' Ye leave the commands of Jahweh, but keep 

82 



Traditions of men. For Moses said, 'Honor 

Thy father and mother' ; but ye, Tf a man shall say 

To his father or mother, "That wherewith thou 

mightest 
Have made a profit by me is Corban," meaning 
"Given to Jahweh," he may do naught for them.' 
Thus ye make void Jah's word by your traditions." 

Then spake he to the multitude, "Hear me: 
Nothing without a man that goeth in 
Can defile him ; the things that do come out of him 
Are those that bring defilement to the man. 
For from within, out of the heart of men. 
Do evil thoughts proceed — all fornications. 
Murders, thefts, adulteries, covetings. 
Deceit, lascivioushess, and wickedness. 
An evil eye, railing, foolishness, pride: 
These evils come from within, and defile the man." 
Then said he to his disciples, "Leave alone 
The Pharisees, for they are but blind guides; 
And if the blind shall lead the blind, then both 
Shall fall into a pit." 

From thence he arose 
And went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, 
And entered a house, and would have no man know it, 

83 



But he could not be hid. For a certain woman, 
Whose daughter had an unclean spirit, had heard 
Of him, and came and fell at his feet — a Greek, 
A Syrophenician by nation. She besought 
That he would cast the devil forth from her child. 
But he did answer not. 

Then his disciples 
Besought him, saying, "Send her away, for she 
Is crying after us." "Let the children first 
Be filled," he said : "for it is not meet to take 
The children's bread and cast it to the dogs." 
She said, " Tis true, my lord ; and yet the dogs 
Eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's 

table." 
Then Jesus answered, "Woman, great is thy faith: 
Be it to thee even as thou wilt." 
And from that hour her daughter was made whole. 

And again he came to the sea of Galilee, 
Through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. They 

bring 
To him a deaf man having impediment 
Of speech. He took him aside from the multitude. 
And putting his fingers into his ears he spit 
And touched his tongue ; and looking towards the sky 

84 













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He sighed and said, "Ephphatha" (that is, "Be 

opened"). 
Straightway his ears were open and his tongue was 

loose. 
Those days the multitude was very great; 
And, having nothing to eat, the Prophet called 
His disciples and said, "Compassion have I upon 
These folk for they have been with me three days 
And have no food. I will not send them away 
So hungry, lest they faint upon the way — 
Since divers of them have come from very far." 
Then said his disciples to him, "Whence should we 

have 
Such quantities of bread in the wilderness 
To satisfy so great a multitude?" 
"How many loaves have ye?" then Jesus asked. 
They answered, "Seven, and too some little fishes." 
So Jesus bade the people sit on the ground. 
And taking the loaves and fishes he gave up thanks, 
He brake them, and gave to his followers ; and they, 
To the multitude ! They ate and were filled ; and they 

took 
Of the broken meat that was left full seven baskets! 
And those that ate were full four thousand men, 

85 



Beside the women and children ! He sent them away, 
Embarked on a boat, and went to Magdala. 

The Pharisees and Sadducees came forth, 
And in order to try him asked him to show a sign 
From heaven. He answered, "When it is evening, ye 

say, 
It will be fair, for the sky is red'; and again 
In the morning, 'It will be wretched weather today, 
Because the heaven is red and lowering/ 
And when ye perceive a cloud rising to west. 
Ye quoth, 'There cometh a shower' ; and so it comes. 
And when a south wind blows, 'There'll be great 

heat', — 
And so it is. Ye hypocrites, ye know 
How to interpret the face of the earth and sky; 
But ye cannot discern the signs of the time. An evil, 
Adulterous generation seeketh a sign. 
But none shall be given except the sign of Jonah !" 

Unto his followers he said, "Beware 
The leaven of the Pharisees and Herod." 

They came to Bethsaida, and there was brought 
To Jesus a blind man that he might be cured. 
So Jesus took him by the hand and led him 
Out of the village; and, spitting on his eyes, 

86 



He laid his hands on him and asked, "Canst thou 
See aught?" He looked, and answered, "I see men — 
Like trees — walking." Then Jesus laid his hands 
Again upon his eyes, and steadfastly 
He gazed, and had his sight restored, and saw. 

And now he began to teach his followers 
That he, the Son of Man, must suffer much. 
And be rejected by the elders and priests, 
Be put to death, yet rise within three days — 
For such he did believe that he would do. 
But Peter took him, because he could not endure 
The thought, and began to rebuke him. Then Jesus 

turned. 
And seeing his disciples rebuked Peter, 
Saying to him, *^Get thee behind me, Satan — 
Thou mindest not the things of God, but of men!" 

After a while Jesus taketh with him 
Peter and James and John, and bringeth them up 
Into a high mountain apart by themselves ; 
And Jesus went forward a little to pray alone. 

And as he prayed, behold! his countenance 
Was altered, becoming even more beautiful; 
His garments glistened, dazzling, exceeding white — 
So, as no fuller on earth can whiten them. 

87 



There appeared two men, who stood and talked 
with him — 
EHjah and Moses, who came in glory, and spake 
Of his decease which he was about to accomplish 
Soon at Jerusalem. Now Peter and they 
That were with Jesus were tired and heavy with sleep ; 
But when they were fully awake, they saw his glory 
And those that stood with him. 

And it came to pass. 
As they were parting from him, Peter exclaimed, 
"Master, 'tis good for us to be here; now let us 
Make three tabernacles — one for thee. 
And one for Moses, and one for Elijah, too," 
Not knowing what he said. Yet while he spake, 
There came a cloud and overshadowed them: 
And they were afraid as they entered into the cloud. 
Out of the cloud there seemed to come a voice. 
Which said, "This is the Son of Man — ^hear him." 
But when they suddenly looked around, they saw 
No one, save only Jesus with themselves. 

As they were coming down from the mountain, 
Jesus 
Commanded them to tell no man the vision 
Until the son of man rose from the dead. 

88 



They asked him, *'Why then say the scribes that first 

Elijah must come?" He answered, "Elijah indeed 

Cometh — he is already come, but they 

Have done to him whatever they would. So shall 

The Son of Man also suffer of them." 

Then did the disciples understand that he 

Spake unto them of John the Baptist. 

When they had found the people, there came to him 
A man, who knelt before him, and said, "My lord, 
Have mercy upon my son, an epileptic. 
Who suffereth grievously: for of ten-times 
He falleth into the fire, and into the water. 
I brought him to thy disciples, who cured him not." 

Then Jesus answered and said, "O generation 
Perverse and faithless, how long shall I be with you? 
How long shall I bear with you? — ^bring him to me!" 
Jesus rebuked the boy, and the demon left him. 
Then came the disciples apart to Jesus, saying, 
"Why could not we cast out the demon?" He salth, 
"Because of your little faith: for verily, 
If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed. 
Ye can remove a mountain from its place; 
And nothing shall be impossible for you." 

While all were marveling at the things he did, 

89 



He said to his disciples, "Let these words 

Sink into your ears : for the Son of Man shall be 

Delivered up into the hands of men." 

They understood this saying not, howe'er, 

And it was concealed from them, that they should not 

Perceive it; they were afraid to ask of it. 

When they were come to Capernaum, the men 
Who took the temple tax, half-shekel, approached 
The disciple Peter and said, "Doth not your teacher 
Pay the half-shekel?" "Yea," he saith. And when 
He came into the house, Jesus spake first 
To him, saying, "What thinkest thou, Simon? 
The kings of the earth, from whom do they receive 
Tribute and toll ? from their sons, or from strangers ?" 
And when he said, from strangers, Jesus replied, 
"Therefore the sons are free; but lest we cause them 
To stumble, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, 
And take the fish that cometh first; and when 
Thou hast opened his mouth, a shekel thou shalt find : 
Take that, and give unto them for thee and me." 
Thus runs the tradition the poets have passed down. 

That time his followers sought Jesus, saying, 
"Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 
(For on the way to Capernaum they had 

90 



Disputed one with the other who was the greatest.) 
He sat them down, and calling a little child 
He set him in the midst of them, and said, 
"Except ye turn and become as little children, 
In no wise shall ye enter the kingdom of heaven. 
Whosoever shall humble himself therefore 
As this small child, the same also is greatest 
In heaven's kingdom ; and whoso receiveth one 
Such little child in my name receiveth me." 

John said to Jesus, "Master, we saw a man 
Casting out demons in thine own name; and we 
Forbade him, because he followeth not with us." 
But Jesus answered, "Forbid him not: no man 
Who doth a mighty work in mine own name 
Can be able quickly to speak evil of me. 
For he that is not against us is for us ; and who 
Shall give you a cup of water to drink because 
Ye are Christ's, then, verily I say to you 
In no wise shall he lose his reward. But whosoever 
Shall cause to stumble one of these little ones 
That believe in me, it were better for him if a great 
Millstone were hanged about his neck and he 
Were cast into the sea. 

If thy hand cause thee 

91 



To stumble, cut it off : it is good for thee 

To enter maimed into lasting life, rather 

Than having two hands to go to hell, the fire 

Unquenchable; and if thy foot cause thee 

To stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee 

To enter halt into future life, rather 

Than having two feet to be cast into hell ; and if 

Thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast 

It from thee: for it is better to enter the kingdom 

Of God with but one eye than having two eyes 

To be cast in hell. For every one shall be salted 

With fire. The salt is good; but if the salt 

Have lost its saltness, wherewith shall ye season it? 

Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with all." 

Now all the publicans and pariahs 
Were drawing near to him to hear. The scribes 
And Pharisees did murmur, saying, "This man 
Receiveth sinners, and even eateth with them." 
So Jesus spoke this parable: "What man 
Of you, having a hundred sheep, and having 
Lost one, doth not leave there the ninety-nine 
In the wilderness and seek that which is lost; 
And if he find it, he lays it on his shoulders, 
Rejoicing; and when he cometh home, he calleth 

92 



His friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice 
With me, for I have found my sheep which was lost/ 
I say unto you, there is more joy in heaven 
Because one sinner repenteth than over ninety 
And nine righteous persons, who think they need 
Not to repent. 

What woman having ten pieces 
Of silver, doth not light a lamp if she lose 
One piece, and sweep the house, diligently 
Searching until she find it ; and when she hath found, 
She calleth together her friends and neighbors, say- 
ing, 
'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece 
Which I had lost.' Just so, I say unto you. 
That there is joy among the angels of God 
Over one sinner who cometh to repentance. 

A certain man did have two sons: the younger 
Of them said to his father, 'Father, give me 
The portion of goods that falleth to me.' So he 
Divided for them his living. Soon afterward 
The younger son gathered his all together, 
And took his journey into a far country. 
And there he wasted his substance with riotous living. 

When he had spent his all, there arose a mighty 

93 



Famine, and he began to be in want. 
He went and joined himself to a citizen 
Of that land, who sent him out to feed the swine 
In the fields ; and he would fain have filled his belly 
With husks that the swine did eat, for no man gave 
Anything to him. But when he came to himself, 
He said, 'How many servants my father hires 
Have bread enough and to spare, while here am I 
Dying with hunger! I will arise and go 
To my father, and say unto him, 'Father, I've sinned 
Against heaven and thee, and am not worthy to be 
Called thy son: make me as one of thy servants.' 
He arose, and came to his father. But when he 

was yet 
A great way off, his father saw him, and had 
Compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed 

him. 
The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned 
Against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more 
Worthy to be called thy son.' But the father 
Said to his servants, 'Bring forth the very best robe, 
And put it on him ; and put a ring on his hand, 
And shoes on his feet : bring hither the fatted calf, 
And kill it ; and let us eat and be merry : for this 

94 




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My son was dead, but is alive again; 

He was lost, but is found!' And they began to be 

merry. 
Now his elder son was in the field: and as 
He came near to the house, he heard music 
And dancing. He called one of the servants, and asked 
What these things meant. The servant said to him, 
*Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the 

fatted 
Calf, because he hath received him safe 
And sound.' And he was angry, and wouldn't go in : 
Therefore his father came out, and entreated him. 
He answering said to his father, 'Behold, these 

many 
Years have I served thee, I transgressed not 
At any time thy command: and yet thou never 
Hast given me a kid with which I might 
Make merry with my friends : but as soon as this 
Thy son is come, which hath devoured his living 
With harlots, thou killst for him the fatted calf.' 
The father said, 'My son, thou art ever with me, 
And all I have is thine. It was meet that we 
Should merry be and glad: for this thy brother 
Was dead, but lives again; was lost and is found.' 

95 



Take heed to yourselves ; and if thy brother offend 
thee, 
Rebuke him to his face; and if he be sorry, 
Forgive him quickly; and even if he offend thee 
Seven times in a day, and seven times 
In a day turn unto thee again, saying, 
'Forgive me, I am sorry,' thou shalt forgive." 

Then one of the company said unto him, "Master, 
Speak to my brother, that he may divide with me 
The inheritance." But Jesus replied, "O man. 
Who made me a judge or divider over you? 
Take heed, and beware of covetousness, for the life 
Of a man consisteth not in abundance of things 
Which he possesseth." This parable he spake 
To them: 

"The ground of a certain wealthy man 
Plentifully brought forth. And he did think 
Within himself, saying, 'What shall I do. 
Because I have no room to store my fruits? 
This will I do — pull down my bams and build 
Still greater, and there will I bestow my fruits 
And goods. And I will say unto my soul, 
'Thou hast for many years laid up much goods, 
O Soul; now take thine ease — eat, drink, be merry!' 

96 



But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night 
Thy soul shall be required of thee : then whose 
Shall be those worldly things which thou hast pro- 
vided?' 

So he that layeth up treasure for himself 
Is not rich toward his God. Therefore I say. 
Take ye no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; 
Nor for the body, what ye shall put upon it. 
The life is more than meat, the body than dress. 
Consider the ravens — they neither sow nor reap; 
Which neither storehouse have nor barns, and yet 
God feedeth them: and how much more are ye 
Better than fowls? And which of you by taking 
Thought can add a cubit to his stature? 
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither 
Toil nor spin; and yet I say unto you. 
That Solomon in all his glory was not 
Arrayed like one of these. If God so clothe 
The grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow 
Is cast into the oven, how much more 
Will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 

Seek not what ye shall eat or drink, nor be 

Of doubtful mind. For all these things the world 

Seeks after — your father knoweth ye need these 

things. 

^ 97 



But rather seek the Kingdom of God, and all 

These things shall be added to you. Fear not, little 

flock: 
It is the Father's pleasure to give you the Kingdom. 
Sell that ye have ; give alms ; provide yourselves 
With bags which wax not old, a treasure in heaven 
That faileth not, where thieves do not approach 
Nor moths corrupt. For where your treasure is. 
There will your heart be also. 

Then shall the kingdom 
Of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took 
Their lamps and sallied forth to meet the bridegroom. 
Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 
They that were foolish took their lamps, but took 
No oil with them; the wise took oil in vessels 
With their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they 

slumbered 
And slept. At midnight a cry was made, — ^Behold, 
The bridegroom cometh — go ye out to meet him!' 
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 
And the foolish said unto the wise, 'Give us 
Some oil — our lamps have gone out!' The wise re- 
plied, 
'Not so, lest there be not enough for us 

98 



And you; but go ye rather to them that sell, 

And buy for yourselves.' And when they went to buy, 

The bridegroom came; and they that were ready 

went in 
With him to the marriage, and then the door was 

shut. 
Afterward came the other virgins also. 
Saying, Tord, open to us !' But he answered them, 
Truly I say unto you, I know you not.' 

The Kingdom of heaven is as a man who traveled 
Into a far country, who called his servants 
And charged them with his goods : to one he gave 
Five talents, another two, and another one — 
To each according to his ability; 
And straightway journeyed. Then he that had re- 
ceived 
Five talents went and traded with the same. 
And made them other five. So likewise he 
That had received the two, he also gained 
Another two. But he that had received 
One talent went and digged within the earth. 
And hid therein the money of his lord. 

After a time the master returned, and reckoned 
With them. So he that had received five talents 

99 



Brought them and other five, and said, 'O lord, 
Thou didst deliver to me five talents: behold, 
Five talents more besides them have I gained!' 

His master replied, 'Well done, thou good and 
faithful 
Servant; thou hast been faithful over few things, 
I'll make thee ruler over many things: 
Share thou the joy of thy lord.' He also that had 
Received two talents came and said, 'O lord, 
Thou didst deliver to me two talents: behold. 
Two talents more besides them have I gained!' 

His master replied, 'Well done, thou good and 

faithful 

Servant; thou hast been faithful over few things, 

I'll make thee ruler over many things: 

Share thou the joy of thy lord.' Then he that had 

Received one talent came and said, *0 lord, 

I knew thou art an austere man, reaping 

Where thou hast never sown, and gathering where 

Thou hast not strewed: and I was afraid, and went 

And hid thy talent in the earth: behold. 

Here hast thou that which is thine own.' 

His lord 

Made answer: Thou wicked and slothful servant, 

thou knewst 

100 



I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I 
Have never strewn. Thou oughtest to have put 
Therefore my money to the exchangers, and then 
At my coming should I have received with usury 
Mine own. Take therefore from him the talent, and 

give it 
To him who hath ten talents. To every one 
That hath shall be given, and abundance shall he 

have ; 
From him who haveth not all shall be taken. 

About that time there came some Pharisees, 
Who said to Jesus, "Get thee out — go hence: 
For Herod would fain kill thee." He answered them, 
"Go, say unto that fox. Behold, I cast 
Out demons and perform my cures today, 
Tomorrow; the third day I am finished. However, 
I must walk today and tomorrow, and too 
The following dc^y : for it cannot be that a prophet 
Perish out of Jerusalem." 

And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh 

come 
That he should meet his end, he set his face 
Steadfastly to go to Jerusalem, and sent 
His messengers ahead of him. They went, 

101 



And entered into a town of Samaria 
To prepare for him. But he was not received, 
Because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 
When James and John his disciples noticed this, 
They cried, "Wilt thou that we bid fire descend 
From heaven, lord, and consume them ?" The prophet 

turned 
And rebuked them. Then they went to another vil- 
lage. 
So as they went upon their way, a man 
Said unto him, 'T will follow thee where'er 
Thou goest." Jesus replied, "The foxes have holes, 
And the birds of heaven have nests; but the Son of 

Man 
Hath not a place to lay his head." To another 
He said, "Come, follow me." But the answer was, 
"Sir, suffer me first to go and bury my father." 
Then Jesus said, "Leave the dead to bury the dead : 
Go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God." 
Another also said, "I will follow thee; 
But suffer me first to bid farewell to them 
That are at home." But Jesus answered him, 
"No man, having put his hand to the plow, and 
looking 

102 



Backward, is fit for the kingdom of God." 

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, 
Of Bethany, the town of Mary and Martha. 
Therefore his sisters sent to Jesus, saying, 
'^Master, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." 
Now Christ loved Martha, and Mary, and Lazarus; 
But still he abode two days in the place where he was 
After he heard that Lazarus was sick; 
And then he said to his disciples, "Again 
Let us return to Jewry." 

They replied, 
"O teacher, the Jews of late have sought to stone 

thee; 
Yet goeth thou thither again?" Jesus answered, 
"But are there not twelve hours in a day? 
Who walketh in the day doth stumble not. 
Because he seeth the light that is in this world; 
But if he walk in the night he stumbleth, because 
There is no light in him." These things said he; 
And after, "Lazarus our friend is sleeping; 
Yet will I go to wake him out of sleep." 
Then said they, "Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well." 
Howbeit Jesus spake of his death : they thought 
He spake of taking rest in sleep. So Jesus 

103 



Said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead." 
Then Thomas said (who was called Didymus) 
Unto his fellow disciples, "Let us go too, 
That we may die with him." 

When Jesus came, 
He found that he had lain within the grave 
Four days already. Now Bethany was nigh 
Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: 
And many Jews had come to Mary and Martha 
To comfort them concerning their brother. Then 

Martha, 
As soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went out 
To meet him, but Mary stayed in the house. Said 

Martha 
To Jesus, "Lord, if only thou hadst been here, 
My brother had not died. But still I know. 
That even now, whatever thou ask of God, 
He'll give it thee." Then Jesus saith to her, 
"Thy brother shall rise again." Martha replied, 
I know that he shall rise again the last 
Day at the resurrection." Jesus said, 
"I am the resurrection and the life; 
He that believeth in me shall never die. 
Believest thou me ?" She answered, "Yea, I believe 

104 



Thou art the Christ, which should come into the 

world.'' 
Then called she her sister Mary secretly, saying, 
"The master is come, and calleth for thee." As soon 
As Mary heard it, she rose and quickly came. 
Now Jesus was not yet come into the town. 
But tarried in the place where Martha met him. 

The Jews thought Mary went to the grave to weep ; 
But she sought Jesus, and falling at his feet 
She cried, "If only thou hadst been here, Lord, 
My brother had not died!" When Jesus saw her 
Weeping and too the Jews who came with her. 
He groaned in spirit, sorely troubled, and said, 
"Where have ye laid him?" They answered, "Come 

and see." 
And Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, "Behold, 
How Jesus loved him!" Some of them whispered, 

"Could not 
This man, who opened the eyes of the blind, have 

caused 
That even Lazarus should not have died?" 
Again groaning, Jesus came to the grave, 
Which was a cave, with a stone lying upon it. 
Jesus commanded, "Take away the stone." 

105 



Martha replied, ''By now he stinketh, lord, 

For he is dead four days." But Jesus answered, 

''Said I not unto thee, if thou believe. 

Thou shouldest see the glory of God?" They took 

Away the stone from the place where the dead was 

laid; 
And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, 
"I thank thee, Father, that thou hast listened to me !" 
When he had spoken, he cried aloud, "Come forth, 
O Lazarus !" The dead came forth, bound hand 
And foot with graveclothes, his face bound with a 

napkin. 
Then Jesus said, "Loose him, and let him go." 

So some Jews followed Jesus, but others went 
To the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 
Then gathered the priests and Pharisees a council; — 
"What do we? This man doth many miracles. 
If we let him alone, all men will follow 
Him ; and the Romans will come and take away 
Our places and our nation !" One of them. 
Named Caiaphas, being high-priest that year, 
Said unto them, "Ye know nothing at all. 
Nor consider it is expedient for us. 
That for the people this one man should die, 

106 



So that the entire nation perish not." 

He spake this not of himself ; but being that year 

High-priest, he prophesied that the Christ should die 

For all the nation ; and not for Jewry only, 

But that he should gather together in one also 

The children of Jahweh scattered through the world. 

From that day forth they planned to put him to death. 

So Jesus went on to prepare his followers 
To do his work when he should be with them 
No more, and thus he spoke to them : "O ye 
Who are disciples of me, the son of man, 
Maintain your courage against adversity 
And labor diligently for the kingdom of God, 
Which is not far away. Behold, I say. 
It is already here within your midst. 
Yea, even within yourselves. Work on, my flock. 
Considering not the dangers that men can bring 
To you, for your reward shall be for ever. 

Stay not too near your homes, since there few men 
Will give you heed. Did I not go with some 
Of you who are before me to Nazareth, 
To do my mighty works, and have them seek 
To lay their hands on me, because, they said, 
I was beside myself? A prophet is mad 

107 



To those who knew him when he was a boy. 
Beware therefore of friends and relatives, 
Who would secure you fast with many thongs 
And lock you up for a season forcibly 
That ye might have recovery from madness. 
Woe unto them who would restrain a prophet 
Of God ! Woe unto them ! Woe unto them !" 



108 



Book V 

THEN there were brought unto him little children, 
That he should lay his hands on them and pray: 
The disciples scolded them, but Jesus said, 
"Suffer the little children, forbidding them not 
To come to me — for of such is the kingdom of God." 
He laid his hands on them and departed thence. 

Behold, a rich man came to him and said, 
'Teacher, what good things shall I do that I 
May have eternal life?" "Keep the commandments." 
"Which ?" "Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal. 
Thou shalt not commit adultery, nor bear 
False witness, But honor thy father and thy mother, 
And thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." 
The young man answered, "These things have I 

observed : 
What lack I yet?" "If thou wouldst be perfect. 
Go sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, 
Then shalt thou have a treasure in heaven. And come, 
And follow me." But when the young man heard 
The saying, sorrowfully he went away: 

109 



For he was one who had ample possessions. 

Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Truly, 
I say unto you, That it is hard for a man 
Of wealth to enter the kingdom of God. For it 
Is easier for a camel to enter into 
Jerusalem through the Needle's Eye, than a rich man 
To enter the kingdom of God !" They were astonished 
And questioned, "Who can be saved?'' Jesus, looking 
Upon them, said, "All things are possible 
With God" (such faith had Jesus in his God!). 
Peter began to say, "Lo, we left all 
And followed thee; what then shall we obtain?" 
"Truly, there is no man that hath left house, 
Or brothers, sisters, mother, father, or children. 
Or lands, for my sake and the gospel's sake. 
But he shall receive an hundred-fold this time, — 
With persecutions, surely ; but in the world 
To come, eternal life. Many that seem 
To be the first in this, shall be the last ; 
And many that seem last shall be the first !" 

So then he spake : "There was a certain rich man, 
Who had a steward ; the same was accused to him 
That he was wasting his goods. So he called the 
steward 

110 



And said, 'What's this I hear of thee? render 
To me the account of thy stewardship: for thou 
Canst be no longer steward.' The steward said 
To himself, ''What shall I do, seeing my lord 
Taketh the stewardship from me? I have 
No strength to dig, and to beg I am ashamed. 
I am resolved what I shall do, that when 
I am dismissed, they take me into their houses.' 

"So calling to him each of his master's debtors, 
He said to the first, 'How much dost owe my lord?' 
He answered, 'A hundred measures of oil.' He said, 
'Take thou thy bond, sit down and quickly write me 
Fifty.' Then to another: 'How much owest thou?' 
'A hundred measures of wheat.' 'Then take thy bond 
And write fourscore.' The master commended then 
His unrighteous steward because he had done wisely: 
Indeed, the children of this world know all! 

"I say to you, wise men, make to yourselves 
By means of unrighteous Mammon many friends. 
That when the one shall fail the others receive you 
Into eternal tabernacles. 
He that is faithful in little is faithful also 
In much ; and he that is unrighteous in little 
Is unrighteous also in much. So if therefore 

111 



Ye have not been faithful in unjust Mammon, who 

will 
Commit true riches to your trust? 
If ye have been unfaithful in that which is 
Another's, who will give you what is your own?" 

The Pharisees, who were miserly lovers of money, 
Heard all these speeches, and they did scoff at him. 
He said to them: "Ye are the very ones 
That justify yourselves in the sight of men; 
But God doth know your hearts : for that which is 
Exalted with men is abomination to God. 

"There was a certain rich man, and he was clothed 
In purple and fine linen, sumptuously 
Faring every day; a certain beggar 
Named Lazarus, full of sores, was laid at his gate, 
Desirous of being fed with the crumbs that fell 
From the rich man's table ; yea, even the very dogs 
Did come and lick his sores. It came to pass, 
That the beggar died, and was borne away by angels 
Into the bosom of Abraham; the rich man 
Also died, and was buried. In Hades he lifted 
Upward his eyes, being in torments, and seeth 
Abram far off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 

"He cried, 'O Abraham, have mercy on me, 

112 



And send me Lazarus, that he may dip 
The tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue: 
For I am tormented in this awful flame!' 
But Abraham said, *My son, remember that thou 
In thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and like- 
wise 
Lazarus evil things; but now thou art 
Tormented, and he is comforted. Besides, 
'Twixt us and you there is a great gulf fixed : 
So who would pass from hence to you can not; 
Nor thence to us.' 

**Then cried the rich man out : 
'I pray thee, therefore, father, that thou send 
Him to my father's house and my five brothers. 
That he may testify to them, lest they 
Come also into this dreadful place of torment!' 
Abram answered, 'They have Moses and the prophets : 
Let them hear them.' *Nay, father Abraham,' 
The man replied ; *but if one went to them 
From the dead, they will repent.' Abraham answered, 
*If they hear not the prophets and Moses, neither 
Will they be persuaded tho' one rose from the dead.' " 

Then Jesus spake a parable, and said : 
*The kingdom of God is like unto a man 

113 



That was an householder, who went out early, 
To hire laborers in the morning hours, 
Into his vineyard. And when he had agreed 
With the laborers for a shilling a day, he sent them 
Into his vineyard. And then about third hour 
He went again, and saw some others standing 
Idle there in the marketplace, to whom 
He said, 'Go ye out into the vineyard too, 
And whatsoever is right I'll give it you.' 
They went their way. Again he went about 
The sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 
About eleventh hour he found more standing, 
And he spoke unto them, 'Why stand ye here 
Idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no man 
Hath hired us.' He saith to them, 'Go ye 
Also into the vineyard.' 

"When even was come. 
The master of the vineyard saith to his steward, 
'Call the laborers and pay them their hire. 
Beginning with the last, unto the first.' 
And when they came that were hired the eleventh 

hour. 
They got each man a shilling. And when the first 
Had come, they expected more; but they likewise 

114 



>->;V^ 




From an oil painting by P. & L. IVtilsl 

Bethlehem Market-place. 



Received each man a shilling. When they received it, 
They murmured against the householder, and said, 
'These last have spent only one hour, and thou 
Hast made them equal unto us, who have borne 
The burden of the day and the scorching heat/ 
But he replied to one of them, 'My friend, 
I do thee no wrong: for didst thou not agree 
With me for a shilling ? Take up that which is thine, 
And go thy way ; it is my will to give 
Unto this last even as unto thee. 
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will 
With mine own ? Is thine eye bad because I am good ? 
So the last shall be first, and the first, last/ " 
He took the twelve aside, and said to them, 
"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, 
To accomplish those things written by the prophets 
Concerning the Son of Man, for they must be 
Fulfilled assuredly. Unto the Gentiles 
He must be handed over, and spitefully treated. 
And spit upon, and mocked. And they shall scourge 

him. 
And put him to death. But the third day he shall 



rise." 



(Thus sang the poets evangelical!) 

115 



But they of course could never understand 
The mysterious things the Son of Man told them. 
Only the RusseUites and Adventists 
And miracle-eating Presbyterians 
And conservative Methodists and Holy Rollers 
And jumping Judases and Calvinists 
Bedevilled and other predestinarians 
Can really comprehend miraculous words. 

As he entered a certain village, behold ten men 
That were lepers met him, standing off afar, 
And they cried aloud, "Master, have mercy on us !" 

He answered, "Go show yourselves unto the 
priests." 
And as it passed, they went and all were cleansed ; 
And one of them turned back and fell at the feet 
Of Jesus, giving him thanks — a Samaritan. 

"Were not ten cleansed? But where are now the 
nine ? 
There are not found that came to give glory to Jah, 
Save only this stranger. Arise and go — thy faith 
Hath made thee whole." 

That season some told him 
Of Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mixed 
With their sacrifices. Jesus said angrily, 

116 



"Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners 
More than all, because they suffered such? 
I tell you, Nay: ye all shall likewise perish, 
Except ye repent. Or those eighteen, on whom 
The tower fell in Siloam, slaying them. 
Think ye that they were sinners above all men 
That dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you. Nay: 
Except ye repent, ye all shall likewise perish. 

"A certain man had a fig tree in his yard. 
He came and sought for fruit, but there was none. 
Then said he to the dresser, 'These three years 
I sought fruit on this fig tree, but found none. 
Come, cut it down: why cumbereth it the ground?' 
The other answered, 'Master, let it be 
This year also, till I shall dig about it 
And dung it ; and if it then bear fruit, so well ; 
If not, then after shalt thou cut it down'.'* 

Then he continued on, but many followed 
To hear him speak. There were some Pharisees, 
Who tempted him by asking, "Is it lawful 
For a man to put away his wife for every cause?" 
He answered, "Have ye not read, that he who made 

them 
At the beginning made them male and female, 

117 



And said, 'For this cause shall a man leave father 
And mother, but cling to his wife : they two shall be 
One flesh ?' Therefore they are not two, but one. 
Whom God hath joined, let no man put asunder." 

They said, "Why then did Moses give command 
To give a writ of divorce and put her away?" 

He answered, "Because of the hardness of your 
hearts 
Moses allowed you to put away your wives: 
But from the beginning it was not so. I say. 
Whosoever shall put away his wife, except 
For fornication, and marry another, committeth 
Adultery; and whoso marrieth her 
That is put away committeth adultery," 

After, when he had been invited to dine 
With superficial people who chose chief rooms. 
He gave this parable: 

"A certain man 
Gave a great supper, inviting many, and sent 
His servant at supper time to say to them 
That were bidden, 'Come — all things are ready now.' 
They all with one consent did make excuse. 
The first : TVe bought a piece of ground, and needs 
Must go and see it : I pray thee have me excused.' 

118 



Another said : 'I Ve bought five yoke of oxen ; 

I go to prove them — ^pray have me excused.' 

Another said : 'I've married a wife, and so 

I can not come.' Therefore the servant came 

Reporting this. The master being angry 

Said to his servant: *Go quickly out to the streets 

And lanes of the town, and bring the poor, the 

maimed. 
The halt and the blind. For I say, that none of those 
Who were invited shall have a taste of my supper.' 
So when thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, 
Sit not down in the highest place, lest a worthier man 
Be given thy place, and thou with shame must take 
The lower seat. High place is vanity." 

Soon James and John, the sons of Zebedee, 
Came to him, saying: "Master, we would that thou 
Shouldst do for us whatever we desire." 
He asked, "And what is that ?" "Grant us to sit, 
One on thy right, the other on thy left, 
In glory." But Jesus said, "Ye know not what 
Ye ask. Ye can not drink of the cup I drink. 
Whoso shall be among you great, shall be 
Your minister. And whosoever of you 
Will be the chiefest, shall be the servant of all. 

119 



The Son of Man came but to minister." 

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 
And behold, Zaccheus, chief of pubHcans, 
And rich, was there ; and he endeavored to see 
Jesus, but could not for the press, because 
He was of little stature. He ran before, 
And climbed a sycamore that he might see. 
For Jesus was to pass that way. And when 
Jesus looked up and saw him, he said, "Zaccheus, 
Make haste — come down — for I must stay today 
With thee." So he came down in haste to receive 
With joy the Son of Man. But when the rest 
Perceived it, they all murmured, saying that he 
Had gone to be a guest of a sinning man ; 
But Jesus gave a blessing to his house. 

Then came together the chiefest priests, and scribes. 
And elders of the people, to Caiaphas' palace. 
With Satan at their head, invisible. 
And they consulted how they might take Jesus 
By subtlety and kill him. But they said, 
"Not on a feast day, lest there be an uproar 
Among the people." 

Now when the Son of Man 
Was there in Bethany, in the house of a leper, 

120 




From an oil paint i)ig by P. & L. Wells] 

Jordan River. 



Mary Magdalene came unto him 

With an alabaster box of precious ointment — 

Spikenard very precious. She broke the box, 

And poured it on his head as he sat at meat. 

When his disciples saw it, they were indignant, 

And grumbled, saying, "What purpose has this 

waste ? 
She might have sold this ointment for a lot, 
And given it to the poor." The Prophet quickly 
Comprehended, and said, "Why trouble ye 
This woman? for she hath done a goodly work 
For me. The poor are always with you, but me 
Ye have not always. For in that she hath poured 
This ointment on my body, she hath done 
It for my death. Wherever this story is told, 
What Mary hath done shall be a memorial." 

When he had set out for Jerusalem, 
And had come nigh, he sent forth two disciples. 
Saying, "Go into the village, where ye shall find 
A colt on which no man has sat; loose him. 
And bring him here. If anybody asks 
What ye are doing, say that the master hath 
A need of him, and he will send him hither." 
They went and found the colt tied by the door, 

121 



And brought him to Jesus, and cast their garments on 

him, 
And Jesus sat upon him. And many spread 
Their garments in the way, and others cut 
Down branches off the trees, and strewed the way. 
Some went before and others followed, crying, 
"Hosanna ! Blessed who comes in the Master's name !" 

So Jesus entered Jerusalem, and went 
Into the temple ; and when he had looked around 
On everything, the evening having come, 
He went out unto Bethany with the twelve. 

Next day, when they were come from Bethany, 
He became hungry, and seeing a fig tree far off, 
He approached, if haply he might find anything 
Thereon; but when he came to it, he found 
Nothing but leaves, for the time of figs wasn't yet. 
Angered he cried : "No man eat fruit of thee 
Hereafter forever!" And his disciples heard it. 

They then returned to Jerusalem, and Jesus 
Went into the temple and cast out them that sold 
And bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables 
Of money-changers and seats of them that sold 
The doves, and would not suflfer that any man 
Should carry a vessel through the temple. He said, 

122 



"Is it not written, 'My house shall be called of all 
The nations a house of prayer ? But ye have made it 
A den of thieves." The scribes and priests heard it, 
And sought how they might kill him, fearing him, 
Because the people marvelled at his teaching. 

When even was come, he went out of the city; 
And in the morning, as they passed by, the fig tree 
They saw dried up from the roots. Peter, calling 
To memory, said unto him, "Master, 
Behold the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered 
Away!" And the others with them were much 

astonished. 
Jesus replied, "So be it with all men 
Who never produce a thing that is worth while!" 

Again they came to Jerusalem, and the priests 
And scribes and elders approached and said to him, 
"By what authority dost thou do these things?" 

The Prophet replied, "I also ask of you 
One question, and answer me, and I will say 
By what authority I do these things. 
Was John's baptism from heaven or of men?" 
They, reasoned, saying, "If we shall say, from heaven, 
He will say, *Why did ye not believe him?' 
But if we say, of men, we fear the people, 

123 



Who count him as a wonderful prophet indeed." 
So they repHed, "We can not tell." Jesus, 
Answering, said : "Neither do I tell you 
By what authority I do these things." 

And he began to speak in parables, 
And told them of the master of the vineyard 
Who sent his servants to take the fruit of the yard, 
But they were wounded by the husbandmen; 
At last he sent his son, his well beloved, 
And they killed him and cast him out of the vineyard. 
Therefore the master destroyed the husbandmen 
And put the vineyard in the hands of others. 

The Jews knew that he spoke the parable 
Against them, and wanted to lay their hands on him. 
But fearing the people left him and went their way. 
Then send they unto him some Pharisees 
And Herodians to catch him in his words. 
These asked of him, "Master, we know thou art true. 
And carest for no man, for thou regardest 
No person of men but teachest the way of God 
In truth : Now is it lawful to give to Caesar 
Tribute, or not ? Shall we give, or shall we not ?" 

He, seeing their hypocrisy, replied, 
"Why tempt ye me? Bring me a penny, that I 

124 



May look at it." They brought one to him. He said, 
"Tell me, whose is this image and superscription?" 
''Caesar's," they said. He answered, ''Render to 

Caesar 
The things that are Caesar's, — to God the things that 
are God's." 

Then some of the Sadducees, who do believe 
There is no resurrection, demanded, saying, 
"If seven brothers marry the same woman. 
Whose wife is she therefore in the resurrection?" 

He mocked at them and said, "How little ye know 
Of the sacred writ or Jahweh's power ! The dead 
Do neither marry nor are they given in marriage. 
God is the God of the living, not the dead." 

They were astounded at the Prophet's astuteness, 
Because he argued well and fooled them all; 
But one of their scholars, a vain and foxy man, 
Came up to him and asked, "Which is the first 
Commandment of all?" 

And Jesus answered him, 
"The first of all the commandments is. The Lord 
Our God he is one God ; and thou shalt love 
The Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all 
Thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength : 

125 



This is the first commandment. The second is like, 
To wit, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 
There is no other commandment greater than these." 

The scholar repiied, "Master, thou tellst the truth : 
There is one God, and there is none other than he; 
To love him with all the heart and understanding. 
And to love one's neighbor as oneself is more 
Than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." 

When Jesus saw he answered discreetly, he said, 
"Thou art not very far from the kingdom of God." 
And no man after durst ask him any question. 
But in the temple he taught : "Beware of the scholars, 
Who love to strut about in flowing robes, 
And love the salutations of the meek 
And upper seats in the chancel of the church, 
And make long prayers for superficial show : 
For verily I say, these will be damned!" 

So the Son of Man sat near the treasury 
Observing how the people cast their money 
In it, and many that were rich cast much. 
There came a certain widow, poor, and she 
Threw in two mites, which constitute a farthing. 
He called to him his disciples, and said to them: 
"This humble widow hath cast more in than all 



126 



They which have cast into the treasury : 

They cast in their abundance, but she of her want 

Threw in all that she had, even her living!'' 

Anger came over him to see how scribes 
And Pharisees exerted influence 
Upon the humble folk, to do them harm, 
And thus he cried: "Woe unto you, scholars 
And Pharisees, ye hypocrites ! For ye 
Would compass sea and land to make one boy 
A proselyte, and when he is made, ye make 
Him twofold a child of hell than ye yourselves! 

Woe unto you, blind guides, who strain at a gnat 
And swallow a camel whole. Woe tmto you, 
Who worship traditions of a church gone by! 
Woe unto you, scholars and Pharisees, 
Ye hypocrites, who pay your tithes of mint 
And anise and cummin with words of much exact- 
ness. 
But have omitted the greater things — judgment, 
Mercy and faith ; ye do what ye ought not. 
But what ye ought to do, ye do it not! 

Woe unto you, scholars and Pharisees, 
Ye hypocrites! ye are like whitewashed tombs, 
Which seem outside so beautiful, but are 

127 



Within full of dead bones and dirtiness. 

Ye do appear without righteous to men, 

But ye are hypocrites, iniquitous! 

Ye say, *If we had been in the days of our fathers, 

We would not have been partakers with them of the 

blood 
Of the prophets, but wherefore ye are witnesses 
Unto yourselves that ye are the children of them 
Which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the 

measure 
Your fathers started. Ye fools ! Ye build the tombs 
Of prophets and garnish the graves of righteous 

men! 
Ye serpents, ye generation of foxy vipers, 
How can ye escape the damnation of hell? 
For I say unto you, ye shall not see me 
Again until ye say, 'Blessed is he 
That cometh to us in the name of the Lord.' " 
Now one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, 
Went to the chief est priests and said to them, 
"What will ye give to me if I deliver 
Jesus of Nazareth into your hands?" 
They said, ''We'll give thee twenty pieces of silver." 
" Tis not enough !" he cried. "Thirty," they said. 

128 



"It is agreed," he answered. And from that time 
He sought an opportunity to betray him. 

The Son of Man knew Judas was treacherous, 
But held his peace, knowing that he must die 
And be a martyr before he could be a Christ 
In the eyes of men. So he took his disciples. 
And left the city, and came to the Mount of Olives, 
Where he did tell them very marvelous things. 
Which they of course could not quite comprehend. 
(And lots they said he said that he ne'er said : 
The gospel-writers had a trick of padding 
Accounts to suit themselves and their purposes — 
A trick that has been perpetrated oft, 
Especially by Christians (?) eager to prove 
Some doctrine Jesus never even thought of. 
The poets all have great imaginations.) 

And early in the morning he came again 
Unto the temple, and many people came 
To him to hear him preach; so he sat down. 
And taught them. Soon the scribes and Pharisees 
Brought him a woman caught in adultery. 
And lo! the sinner was Mary Magdalene. 
When they had set her in the midst, they said, 
'^Master, this woman was caught in adultery, 

129 



Even the very act. Now in the law 
Moses commanded us that such be stoned. 
What sayest thou?" 

They said this, tempting him, 
That they might have to accuse the Son of Man. 
But Jesus stooped, and with his finger wrote 
Upon the ground, as if he heard them not. 
When they continued asking him, he raised 
Himself, and said, "He that is without sin 
Among you, let him be first to cast a stone 
At her," and again stooping he wrote on the ground. 
And they who heard these words, being convicted 
By their own conscience, departed one by one. 
Beginning with the eldest, unto the last ; 
And Jesus was left alone, with Mary standing 
Amid the folk. 

When Jesus raised himself. 
And saw no one but Mary, he said to her: 
"Woman, where are those that are thine accusers? 
Hath none condemned thee?" "No man, lord," she 

said. 
Then Jesus said to her, "Neither do I 
Condemn thee : go, and sin no more." And he wept. 



130 



Book VI 

NOW Satan, whose plans were being carried out, 
Had entered Judas himself, anxious to get 
The Son of Man betrayed, and Judas had made 
A bargain with the chiefest priests to arrange 
A most convenient time when they could seize him. 
Happy to be successful, Satan called 
A general council of his followers. 
And thus he spoke: 

''Dear friends, whom I, your chief, 
Do love so much, the time has come when Jesus, 
Son of Man, who is our enemy 
And who with evil actions works against 
Our glorious kingdom to injure and destroy. 
Must be betrayed by one of his own friends — 
Since who betrayeth better than a friend? 
I entered Judas, as ye know perchance, 
And easily persuaded him — a man 
Of jealous nature — after our own heart — 
And miserly beside — to bargain with 
The priests and Pharisees to hand him over 

131 



To them for thirty pieces of silver coin. 
He has done this, and they are awaiting now 
To capture Jesus and nail him to a cross. 
What think ye of it, gentle followers?" 

They burst into a furious applause. 
As when with sullen roar the ocean beats 
Against the beetling cliifs and dashes foam 
Into the atmosphere. 

"What more," cried Shed, 
"Could we desire ? Thou hast done well, O Chief !' 
"Yea! Yea!" cried the assembly in admiration, 
Because their sentiment was like the Devil's — 
They, like Americans, supported their leader 
However good or bad he happened to be! 

But Satan cried, with thunder in his eye — 
That awful eye that cowed the wildest imp 
And most intractable, "Obey, sweet boys. 
The parliamentary rules, else will there be 
Some fine disaster in our noble camp." 
The horrid threat subdued them on the spot, 
And so they sat upon their haunches, quiet. 
And hearkened to the voice of mighty Satan, 
Without whose word they feared to make a motion. 

"I'm glad," the Devil said, "that ye approve. 

132 



Has any of you a good suggestion to make?" 
He looked around to inspect his gathering 
Of dreadful spirits, and as he glanced his eyes 
Resembled falling meteors in space. 

"I think," responded Murder, a terrible form 
That frightened almost even Satan to see, 
The child of Lust and Jealousy, brought up 
By howling nurses of the Massikin, 
Who are the patrons of orthodox Calvinists, 
'T think that Pilate the governor should be bribed, 
That justice may roll smoothly through the court." 

"Will you not put it in the form of motion?" 
Demanded Satan, who sticks to law and order. 

"I m.ove that one of us, appointed by 
Our noble chief, be sent to Pontius Pilate 
And turn his mind against yon Nazarene." 

"I second!" shouted hungry Insatiableness, 
Enthused by the thought of having Jesus killed. 

"Any remarks? In favor, yea — opposed? 
It is a vote unanimous. Go thou 
At once. Obsequiousness, and whisper the truth 
In Pilate's ear, that he may know what course 
Will please the chiefest priests and Pharisees." 

Immediately the form of Obsequiousness 

133 



Flew through the stygian darkness of Hell, and went 
To visit Pontius Pilate and teach him truth; 
And great Beelzebul and all the rest 
Of the demon camp went off to do their work. 
Obsequiousness found Pilate eating supper, 
And coming near his ear he whispered softly, 
"There soon will be brought in to thee a man 
Called Jesus of Nazareth, who claims to be 
A king of the Jews. Now Caiaphas, the priests. 
And most of the Pharisees do hate this man. 
Because he teaches doctrines contrary 
To theirs, and they would kill him if they can. 
Heark to the truth: if thou dost dare oppose 
The will of the high priests, then thou art lost. 
For they will rouse the people against thee then, 
And thou wilt be recalled in shame to Rome. 
But if thou hast some shrewdness, thou wilt see 
That it is best to favor the chiefest priests 
And give them Jesus the Nazarene to punish. 
It is not pleasant to lose a post like thine. 
Especially since it is easy enough 
To do best justice by giving easy judgment. 
Follow the wind and thou wilt be all right." 
Thus spoke Obsequiousness, and Pilate heard, 

134 



But thought that it was his imagination. 

Then came the day of unleavened bread, the day 
When the passover must be butchered. And he sent 

Peter 
And John, saying, "Go ye, prepare for us 
The passover, that we may eat." But they 
Demanded, ''Where wilt thou that we prepare?" 
He said, ''When ye have entered in the town, 
A man shall meet you, bearing a pitcher of water ; 
Follow him into the house which he doth enter. 
And say to the goodman of the house, 'The master 
Saith unto thee. Where is the guest-chamber, 
Where I shall eat passover with my disciples?' 
And he shall show to you an upper room. 
Both large and furnished : there make ready for me." 
They went, and found as he had said to them: 
And they made ready the feast of passover. 

Now when the hour was come, he sat him down, 
His twelve apostles with him. To them he said, 
"I have desired to eat this feast with you 
Before I die, for we shall never eat 
Together again." He took the cup of wine, 
Gave thanks and said, "Take this, dividing it 
Among yourselves : for I say unto you, 

135 



No more will I drink of the fruit of the vine." 
And he took bread, and giving thanks he broke it, 
And gave to them, remarking: "This is my body, 
Broken for you : this do to remember me." 

Then Jesus sternly looked around at the twelve. 
And with his eye on Judas said, "Behold, 
The hand of him that betrayeth me is here 
On the board. And truly the Son of Man will go. 
As it has been arranged ; but woe to him 
By whom he is betrayed!" And they began 
To inquire among themselves which one of them 
It was that should do this thing. Then there arose 
Also a strife among them, which of them 
Should be accounted the greatest; but Jesus frowned, 
And said: "The kings of the Gentiles exercise 
A lordship over them, and benefactors 
The kings are called ; but ye shall not be so : 
Let the eldest be as the younger, and the leader. 



serve." 



Then he saw Simon raise up proudly his head, 
And he said unto him, "O Simon, Simon, 
Behold, Beelzebul hath wished to have thee. 
That he may sift thee as wheat : But I have prayed 
For thee, that thou fail not in faith; and when 

136 



From an oil painting by P. & L. Wellsl 

A STUDY OF THE SON OF MaN. 



Thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren too." 

Peter replied, "O master, I am ready 
To go with thee, to prison and to death." 

"Nay," said the Son of Man, "I tell thee, Peter, 
Thrice shalt thou deny thou knowest me 
Before the cock shall crow at all this day." 
But Peter swore with an oath that he would not; 
And all with vehemence did swear the same. 

"Enough!" cried Jesus. "I know your purposes. 
Now tell me, when sent I you out without 
A purse or shoes, did ye lack anything?" 
"Nothing," they answered. "But now, who hath a 

purse 
Or scrip take it, and he that hath no sword 
Let him sell off his garment and buy a sword: 
For they will seek to take us by violence. 
At least I will accomplish the prophecies 
That have been written concerning the Jewish 

Messiah. 
Who else shall be, save I, the Nazarene, 
This prophesied Messiah, the man of sorrows? 
'Twas spoke, *And he was reckoned among the trans- 
gressors.' 
My followers, how many swords have ye?" 

137 



They said, ''Dear master, behold, here are two 
swords," 
For Peter and Thomas carried one apiece. 

And Jesus answered them, "It is enough. 
The time approaches — come — the end is near." 

And he went out, and came, as he was wont. 
To the Mount of OHves, and his disciples followed. 
When he was at the place, he said to them, 
'Tray that ye enter not into temptation." 
Then he withdrew from them the throw of a stone, 
And kneeling down he prayed aloud and said: 
"Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup 
From me; but nevertheless, may not my will. 
But thine, be done !" Thus prayed he to his god, 
Whom he called father; and lo, an angel seemed 
To come to him from the skies, strengthening him — 
The angel Gabriel. Then Jesus, being 
In agony, prayed still more earnestly; 
And to the ground there fell great drops of sweat, 
Like blood from a cut. And when he rose from 

prayer. 
He came to his disciples, and found them sleeping. 
He aroused them, saying: "Why sleep ye? Rise and 
pray, 

138 



Lest ye be tempted and fall a prey to Satan." 

Then he took apart with him Peter 
And Zebedee's sons, and sorrowfully said 
To them, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, 
Even to death; stay here, and watch with me." 
And he went on a little further, and fell 
Upon his face, and prayed : *'0 father, if it 
Be possible, let this cup pass from me: 
I have not yet accomplished all my work. 
It seems, and life is very dear to me." 

But when he came and found the three asleep, 
He cried, ''Could ye not watch with me one hour? 
Both watch and pray, that ye enter not temptation 
The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 

Again he went away, and prayed the same 
As before. Then he returned to his disciples. 
And said : "Oh sleep on now, and take your rest : 
Behold, the hour is come, and the Son of Man 
Will be betrayed into the hands of sinners. 
Rise, let us be going, for he is near 
Who doth betray me." 

While he yet spake, Judas, 
One of the twelve, approached with a multitude 
Of folk with swords and sticks, and he drew near 

139 



To Jesus to kiss him ; but Jesus cried to him, 
*7udas, betrayest the Son of Man with a kiss?" 

Then those about the Nazarene demanded, 
"Master, shall we hit them with our swords?" 
He answered, "Yes," so one of them, 'twas Peter, 
Struck at the high priest's servant and lopped his ear. 
"Enough," said Jesus — "put away your swords. 
Are ye come out as if against a thief, 
With sticks and swords ? When I was with you there 
In the temple, ye did not even stretch your hands 
Against me, but this is now your hour — the hour 
Of darkness. Fellows, continue on your way!" 

They brought him to the house of the highest 
priest. 
And Peter followed them from quite afar, 
But all the others quickly ran away. 
And when they had kindled a fire inside the hall. 
And had sat down together, Peter sat 
Among them. A certain maid beheld him there. 
As he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked at him, 
And said aloud, "This man was also with him." 
But Peter denied his teacher, exclaiming, "Woman, 
I know him not, by Jah !" And after a while 
Another perceived him, and said, "Thou art also 

140 



Of them." Peter replied, '1 am not, man !" 

About an hour later another affirmed 

With confidence, *This fellow too was with him, 

For he is a Galilean." Peter cried, 

"I know not what thou meanest, dirty fellow." 

At once, while yet he spoke, the rooster crowed; 

And Peter's teacher turned and looked at him, 

And Peter remembered the words of Jesus — 'Before 

The cock shall crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.' 

Then he went out and wept with bitterness. 

The men that held the Nazarene mocked him, 
And struck him; and when they had him blindfolded, 
They hit him on the face, and demanded of him, 
**Come, prophesy who is it striking thee!" 
And many other insulting things they said. 

As soon as it was day, the chiefest priests 
And scribes and elders of the people assembled. 
And led him into their council-room, and asked: 
"Art thou the Messiah? Tell us." Jesus replied, 
"If I should tell you, ye would not believe. 
If I should ask of you, ye would not answer 
Or let me go." Then all of them demanded, 
"Art thou the Son of Man?" "Ye say I am." 
"What need we any further witness?" they cried. 

141 



"For we have heard ourselves from his own mouth." 

The whole assembly arose and led him to Pilate, 
And they began to accuse him, saying, "We found 
This fellow perverting the people, forbidding them 
To pay the tribute to Caesar, saying that he 
Himself is the Messiah, a king." Then Pilate 
Demanded, "Art thou the king of the Jews indeed?" 
The Nazarene replied, "Thou sayest it." 
The priests and elders began to accuse the man 
Again, and told to Pilate falsities ; 
But Jesus did answer nothing to all of it. 
Then Pilate said to him, "Dost thou not hear 
How many accusations they make against thee?" 
Jesus responded never a word, so that 
The governor was very much astonished. 
"I cannot find a fault with him," said Pilate: 
"Take him yourselves, if he has broke your laws, 
And judge him according to your own laws and 

custom." 
The Jews replied, "It is not lawful for us 
To put any man to death." 

So Pilate turned. 
And entering again his judgment hall 
He called in Jesus and privately said to him, 

142 



*'Art thou the king of the Jews ?" "Sayest thou this 

Of thyself, or did others tell it to thee of me?" 

"Am I a Jew?" responded Pilate. "Thy people 

And thy chief priests have delivered thee to me. 

Tell me, what hast thou done?" Jesus replied, 

"I do not pretend to be a ruler here. 

If that were so, my followers would fight 

For me, that I should not be handed over 

Like any criminal. I am no king 

In this vain w^orld." 

"Then thou art still a king?" 
"I did not say I was — thou sayest it. 
For this great purpose I was born, and for 
This cause I came into the world, that I 
Should bear a witness unto the truth." 

"What is," 
Demanded Pilate, "the truth?" But Jesus looked 
At Pilate fixedly, and said no word. 

Then Pilate went out again and said to them, 
"Will ye that I release Barabbas or Jesus?" 
For on that day of feast the governor 
Was wont to release for the folk a prisoner, 
According to their demand, whomever they would; 
And they had then a prisoner called Barabbas. 

143 



The wife of Pilate called him back, and said, 
*'Have naught to do with that just man, since I 
Have suffered much in a dream because of him." 
But the priests and elders persuaded the mob to ask 
The release of Barabbas, but the death of Jesus 

Christ, 
Who in their eyes was a dangerous imposter. 
If he had shut his mouth and followed them, 
They never would have dragged him in to Pilate. 

"Barabbas!" the people cried. "Release Barabbas! 
And crucify this man of Nazareth!" 

"What evil hath he done?" said the governor. 

They cried the more, "Let him be crucified!" 
So Pilate, when he saw it was in vain. 
And only more tumult made, which he much feared, 
He took some water before the multitude 
And washed his hands, remarking, "Ye see, I am 
Not guilty of the blood of this just person: 
See ye to it." Then answered all the people, 
"His blood be on our heads and on our children." 
So Pilate released Barabbas, but scourged Jesus, 
And then delivered him to be crucified. 

Meanwhile the traitor, Judas, seeing his teacher 

Was captured and bound and condemned by the 

priests to die, 

144 



Repented himself, and brought again the thirty 
Pieces of silver unto the priests and elders, 
Saying, "I have betrayed innocent blood!" 
"What's that to us?" they cried. "See thou to that." 
He cast the pieces of silver down in the temple. 
And going out he went and hanged himself 
Because of his remorse — and who was sorry? 

Then did the soldiers of Pilate drag the prophet 
Into the common hall, and gathered their band 
Of comrades. They stripped him and put on him a 

robe 
Of scarlet; and when they had plaited a crown of 

thorns 
They put it on his head with mockery, 
And in his right hand placed a reed as if 
It were a kingly scepter ; they bowed the knee 
Before him, crying, "Hail, king of the Jews !" 
They spit upon him, and taking the reed they struck 
Him on the head with it derisively. 
They then took off the robe and put on him 
His raiment, and led him away to crucify him. 

As they came out, they seized upon one Simon, 
Cyrenian, who came out of the country, 

145 



And forced the cross on him when Jesus was tired, 

For he was weak from hunger and suffering. 

A mighty company of people followed, 

Some of whom were friends bowed down by grief, 

Some merely curious, but many hostile 

To Jesus and hating him because of his 

New teachings and claims that seemed extravagant 

And roused their jealousy, fearing beside 

A loss of their prestige and influence. 

The Prophet turned toward those who wept, and 
said, 
**Weep not, O Daughters of Jerusalem, 
For me, but for yourselves and for your children. 
Behold, the day will come when they shall say, 
'Blest are the barren, the wombs that never bare, 
And the paps which never gave suck!' Then shall 

they cry 
To the mountains, Tall on us!' and to the hills, 
*Oh cover us !' For if they do these things 
In a tree that is green, what shall be done in a dry?" 

When they had come to a place called Golgotha, 
Which means, A place of a skull, an elevation, 
They nailed him to the cross, and crucified 
Two thieves with him, with Jesus in the midst. 

146 



Now Pilate had written a title, and had it placed 
Upon the cross, on top, and thus it read : 
JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE 

JEWS. 
And it was written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. 
The priests of the Jews complained to Pilate, saying, 
"Write not. The King of the Jews', but that he said, 
T am the King of the Jews !' " Pilate replied, 
"Fellows, what I have written I have written." 
And when the people saw the sign, they mocked 
At Jesus and spit at him and wagged their heads ; 
And one of the thieves made fun of him, but the 

other 
Rebuked him, saying, "Dost thou not fear Jahweh, 
Seeing thou art likewise condemned ? For we 
Receive the due reward of our deeds, whereas 
This man hath not done anything amiss." 
And Jesus gave a blessing to the thief. 

The soldiers took the garments of Jesus, and made 
Four parts, to every soldier a part; and too 
His coat, which was without a seam, woven 
Throughout ; and they cast lots for this seamless coat, 
Because they did not want to tear it. Of course 
The poet had to have the scripture fulfilled, 

147 



Which saith, They parted my raiment among them- 
selves, 
And for my seamless vesture they did cast lots/ 
Another prophecy the gospel poet 
Did feel obliged to fulfil, which is in Psalms, 
Verse twenty-one of chapter sixty-nine: 
'They gave me also gall for meat, and in 
My thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.' 
So Jesus said, "I thirst," and they set forth 
For him a vessel filled with vinegar, 
And filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it 
On hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When he 
Received it, the prophecy was then fulfilled! 

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, 
His aunt — Mary the wife of Cleophas, 
And Mary Magdalene, who loved him so. 
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple 
Whom he best loved — according to that disciple — 
Standing by, he said to his mother, "Woman, 
Behold thy son !" and then to that disciple, 
"Behold thy mother !" And his beloved disciple 
Did treat her as his mother from that time forth. 
And took her home. And Jesus said to Mary 
Of Magdala, "Farewell to thee, my friend! 

148 




< 

'^ 
w 

8 
< 

M 

H 
W 



!7: 

I — I 'J^- 









Thy love hath often soothed my wounded heart; 
And may thou yet, with thy great sympathy, 
Heal hearts that have been treated cruelly." 
They sobbed aloud, and he cried, "It is finished," 
And bowed his head, and died. 

The Jews therefore, 
Because it was the preparation, that bodies 
Should not remain on the cross the sabbath day, 
Did ask permission from Pilate to break their legs. 
And carry them away. Then came the soldiers. 
And broke the legs of both the malefactors; 
But when they came to Jesus, finding him dead 
They did not break his legs, but one of them. 
In order that the scripture be fulfilled. 
Which says, ^A bone of him shall not be broken,' 
And They shall look on him whom they have pierced,' 
Did pierce his side with a spear, and out came blood ! 
Thus fiction shall be nobly joined to truth. 
But what the truth about the Son of Man, 
Who then can tell? Alas, what is the truth? 

Some men did say, that when the prophet died, 
The veil of the temple was rent in two from top 
To bottom ; the earth did quake and rocks did open ; 
And out of the graves the bodies of saints arose 

149 



And walked about the city, appearing to many 
Until the moon was new and her brightness hid, 
Which was the space of about a week and a day. 

Then Joseph of Arimathea, a counsellor, 
Went boldly to Pilate and begged the corpse of Jesus. 
Pilate called unto him the centurion, 
And when he learned from him that he was dead 
He gave the body to Joseph, who bought fine linen, 
Took down the body, wrapped it in the cloth, 
And laid it in the sepulchre hewn out 
Of rock, and rolled a stone unto the door. 

Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother 
Of Joses and others saw where it was placed. 
And when the sabbath was past, the Magdalene 
And Mary the mother of James and Salome bought 
Sweet spices, that they might come and anoint the 

body. 
So early in the morning, the following day. 
They came to the tomb at the rising of the sun ; 
But they did question, ''Who shall roll away 
For us the stone from the door of the sepulchre?" 
Yet when they looked, they saw it rolled away; 
And entering in, they thought they saw a youth 
Clothed in a long white garment sitting there. 

150 



They were afraid, it being very ghostly, 
And ran away as fast as they could go. 
And said to all they met that they had seen 
A white young man inside the tomb who spoke 
To them and said that Jesus had flown away. 
Some did believe — only a very few. 

Now Mary Magdalene, from whom the Son 
Of Man had cast out seven wicked devils. 
Thought that the spirit of Jesus appeared to her, 
And so she went about and told it to those 
Who had accompanied the prophet, and they. 
Busy with mourning and weeping, as was the custom. 
Believed it not, but she was sure of it. 
And others too declared the spirit of Jesus 
Appeared to them, and spoke, and even ate. 
But doubting Thomases could not believe. 

Soon after a crowd of people thought they saw 
A form ascend into the atmosphere. 
And some of them did think it was a bird, 
While others believed it was the spirit of Jah 
Ascending upward to sit on a golden throne 
Somewhere above the clouds, but others declared — 
They were great prophets — it was an aeroplane. 
In order that the prophecies of old 

151 



Might be fulfilled, that said: Thy mercy, Jah, 
Is in the heavens, and too thy faithfulness 
Reacheth unto the clouds ;' and, 'Yet he passed 
Away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him. 
But he could not be found ;' and, Thou, O Jah, 
Be merciful to me, and raise me up. 
That I may wreak revenge upon them all ;' 
And, Xo, they saw it, and so they greatly marvelled ; 
They all were troubled, and hasted quick away.' 



152 



LILIES OF THE VALLEY 



BY 

Percival W. Wells. 



A very popular book. It is a collection of Love Lyrics, with 
9 full-page illustrations by the author and his wife. 

Boston Globe: ''Book of Charming Verse.'* 

Hartford Courant: "These poems are addressed to Lillian (the 
co-illustrator), 'My last and now my only love.' They are 
refreshing for their simplicity and natural affection." 

Michigan Christian Advocate: "An exquisite bit of bookmaking 
with the tender passion for a theme and delicate art work for 
illumination. The love songs are ardent, but the lover is the 
husband of his loved one; so why not?" 

Boston Transcript: "We have learned by now that the simplest 
words may become a medium for poetic expression, and that 
sincerity and force are sometimes of greater worth than nicety 
of style and decoration. One of the most striking of these 
poems, in its simple, straightforward appeal, is the following 

(What Care I?) The author is especially fortunate 

in his use of the sonnet." 



Your dealer will sell Lilies of the Valley or we will send 
it to any address postpaid on receipt of price — $1 net 



BARTLETT PUBLISHING COMPANY, 
Wantagh, N. Y. 



THE MARTYR'S RETURN 



BY 

Percival W. Wells. 



The Martyr's Return is one of the most successful books of 
the year. It is timely, well-written, and handsomely illustrated and 
bound. 

Hartford C our ant: "Mr. Wells has written a number of fanciful 
and suggestive books that have been cordially received by the 
public: none of them more suggestive, none of them so bold in 
fancy as this. To General Hazard comes President Lincoln, 
in repeated visits; and they discuss calmly and wisely prob- 
lems of the nation." 

Albany Argus: "This book is a discussion of the preparedness, 
the racial and the social problems of this country and takes 
the form of conversations between General Hazard, an aged 
veteran of the Civil War, and the shade of Abraham Lincoln, 
which appears to the general as he is seated musing at his fire- 
side. Most of the opinions advanced are those of General 
Hazard, that is to say, of the author, but the idea of intro- 
ducing comments by the martyr President is rather novel and 
serves to add interest to the book, particularly as Mr. Lincoln 
indulges in occasional flashes of humor and comments on the 
Union generals of the Civil War. Now that preparedness is the 
foremost topic of discussion in this country, that part of the 
book is particularly timely. The author puts up a good argu- 
ment for preparedness for national defence." 

Grand Rapids Press: "A dramatic argument for preparedness, in 
story form." 

Boston Transcript: "Mr. Wells has here given us much to think 
of. A great amount of thought is condensed into a hundred 
pages. The veteran shows clearly that if a nation would be 



at peace with other nations in this aggressive period of the 
world's history it must be so fully prepared for defence that 
other nations will not venture to offer an attack. On the 
negro question Mr. Wells is equally forcible. He has much 
of Booker Washington's plain and judicious consideration of 
the subject. The author is severe on some phases of the 
social question, but endeavors to cover the ground broadly. 
So vividly are the thoughts of the author set forth through 
the old general and martyred President that one feels that he 
is listening to an actual conversation between them.*' 

A^. Y. Staats-Zeitung: "Der Dialog ist in dem bekannten leut- 
seligen Tone Lincolns gehalten und auch mit anekdoten, wie 
sie Lincoln eigen waren, gewiirtzt, sodass das Interesse des 
Lesers gefesselt bleibt, vielleicht um so mehr, als ihm kein 
allzu tiefgriindliches Nachdenken zugemutet wird. Das splen- 
did ausgestattete Biichlein ist durch eine Anzahl wirklich 
kiinstlerischer Illustrationen von der Hand des Verfassers 
und seiner Gattin verschonert." 



Bound in decorated cloth, gilt-top. Price, $1 net. 
Order from your dealer or from 

BARTLETT PUBLISHING COMPANY, 
Wantagh, N. Y. 



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Mr. Seavy is as yet an unknown author; but we prophesy that 
within a few months after the publication of his DOM QUICK 
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and read. It deals with creations that may be to some entirely 
strange and ludicrous, yet to others marvelously familiar, appar- 
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ESTING. 



BARTLETT PUBLISHING COMPANY, 
Wantagh, N. Y. 



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